Produced in the Bone Marrow, blood is comprised mainly of Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells, Platelets, and Plasma.  What are these, what are their functions and why do we need them to save lives?

Red Blood Cells:

One of the cells of the blood, which, in mammals,are non-nucleated disks concave on both sides.  The most numerous cell in the blood, Red Blood Cells are produced at a rate of 4-5 billion every hour.  Red Blood Cells live for 120 days in the blood stream, but only 42 days outside of the body.  When they die, they are removed from circulation by an organ called the spleen. 

Red Blood Cells contain hemoglobin (otherwise known as iron) and transport oxygen through the bloodstream to the tissues and organs.  After they deliver the oxygen, the red blood cells pick up a waste product called carbon dioxide, known as CO2. Then they make the return trip back to the lungs through the veins where the CO2 can finally be released. Every time you breathe out, you are expelling Carbon Dioxide and waste. It takes, on average only 30-45 seconds for blood cells to make one complete circuit. 

What are Red Blood Cells used for?  Severe Anemia to build the hematocrit level (iron) in the patient's blood.  Accident victims, trauma patients, and surgeries to replace blood volume and the Red Blood Cells that were lost lost. 

Plasma:

All of the blood cells in your body are mixed together in a golden liquid called Plasma. Plasma is mostly made up of water, but also contains proteins, sugar and salt. In addition to carrying blood cells throughout your body, plasma also carries hormones, nutrients and chemicals, such as iron.   Plasma has the important function of maintaining the pH of the blood.

What is Plasma used for? Patients with immune deficiencies.  In conjunction with other blood components to build blood volume. Lubricate heart pumps and other machines that would be connected to the body.  Burn victims need this component to replenish fluid and nutrients. 

Platelets:

Platelets are sticky little guys that help prevent bleeding and make your blood clot when you get a cut. Formed from the largest of the stem cells, the Megakaryocyte, Platelets are tiny fragments of cell material better known as cytoplasm.  Platelets are normally round and smooth, but after they are used to produce clots, they turn spiky and jagged around the edges.  After an injury occurs, the Platelets throw themselves over the cut.  From there, they spin a web called fibrin which interlocks them and forms a scab.  The platelets also attract a protein found in plasma (fibrin), and use it to form a dense netting that traps red blood cells and quickly becomes a clot.