CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

Blood and Cardiovascular Assignment

[Writer's Institution]

Blood and Cardiovascular Assignment

Task 1

Blood

Blood is an essential component of the body. Blood cells are formed by a process known as haematopoiesis. The formation of blood cells is different during various stages of development. In the embryo, there are multiple sites for blood formation such as the lymph nodes, thymus gland, liver, spleen, and red bone marrow. After birth, blood cells are formed in the red bone marrow found in various flat and long bones within the body. All blood cells originate from haemapoietic stem cells that go on to differentiate into five different cell types (i.e. erthyrocytes, granulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, and platelets) (Ivey, 2013, p.23). Blood is composed of two major components, liquid called plasma and blood cells. Plasma, about half of the content of blood, assists in transporting substances through the blood, contains proteins that assist in blood to clot, contains glucose and other dissolved nutrients, and performs various other functions. The other half of blood is composed of cells, which include white blood cells (leucocytes), red blood cells (RBC), and platelets. Leucocytes aid in fighting infections, RBCs help to transport oxygen to tissues, and platelets are smaller cells that assist in blood clotting (WebMD, 2013, p. nd). If any of the components of blood become amiss, there would be major health concerns throughout the body. Table 1 outlines the different functions performed by the various components of blood, if any of these components were to be absent, these functions would then have to rely on other sources or gravely affect an individual's health (Ivey, 2013, p. 4-12, The Franklin Institute, 2013, p. nd, and WebMD, 2013, p. nd).

Blood Composition

 

Component

Function

Consequence (if missing)

Plasma

Water

Transport molecules, maintains blood volume

inefficient transportation of nutrients and low volume

Salts

Aid metabolism, maintain osmotic pressure and pH

Imbalance in osmotic pressure and pH

Plasma Proteins

Clotting, transport, fighting infections, aid metabolism, maintain osmotic pressure and pH

Severe blood loss upon injury, inability to fight infections

Nutrients

Food source for cells

Cells without food source, eventually leading to apoptosis

Various Vitamins, Hormones, etc.

Aid metabolism

Major component in aiding metabolism missing

Cells

Red Blood Cells

Carry oxygen throughout body

Body unable to receive oxygen

White Blood Cells

Help to fight off infections

Inability to fight off infection

Platelets

Assist in blood clotting

Causing thrombocytopenia and leading to blood loss upon injury

Table 1: Blood composition. Outlines the two major components and blood and describes their function and importance.

Red blood cells, which are the most abundant cell type in blood, have a very unique shape (see Figure 1). Red blood cells are shaped like biconcave discs and have no nucleus. These cells also perform one of the most important functions in the body, which is carrying oxygen to the entire body. A singular drop of blood contains millions of red blood cells that cruise through the body continuously. Without a nucleus, they are able to change shape easily and therefore are able to fit into various blood vessels throughout the body. While they are more flexible due to their missing nucleus, their life is also very limited (to an average of about 120 days) (American Society ...