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All About Blood
Left vs. Right The left side of the heart contains oxygen depleated blood and the right side contains oxygen rich blood. The Pulmonary Circuit consists of all the blood vessels that transport oxygen depleted blood to the lungs from the right ventricle. The Systemic Circuit is all the blood vessels that supply oxygen filled blood to the whole body.
Components of Blood Red Blood Cells, also known as erythrocytes, are cells without a nucleus. 40-50% of the blood's volume is made up of red blood cells. They move oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, and collect carbon dioxide. White Blood Cells, also known as leukocytes, make up only 1% of the blood's volume. There are different classifications for white blood cells. Lymphocytes are the first defense of our immune system. They aid in the removal of foreign cells from the body. Granulocytes and macrophages are the next to arrive. They destroy the foreign cells and dead and dying blood cells. Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, clot the blood around a cut or wound. They stick to blood vessel walls to plug the break in the vascular wall. Another way that they clot the blood is by releasing a clotting chemical. This causes the blood to clot, blocking off smaller blood vessels. Plasma carries red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It is a solution of salt and liquid protein. Plasma accounts for 55% of the blood's volume. Plasma is 95% water. It nourishes cells throughout the body and takes away waste from these cells made by metabolism.
Blood Pressure: Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels. Systolic pressure is peak pressure in the arteries, which occurs near the beginning of the cardiac cycle when the ventricles are contracting. Diastolic pressure is minimum pressure in the arteries, which occurs near the end of the cardiac cycle when the ventricles are filled with blood.
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Production of Blood Blood is produced in the bone marrow from stem cells. Blood cells mature in other locations such as the spleen and lymph system.
