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Blood is made up of four main parts: red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), platelets (thrombocytes), and plasma. The liquid portion is the plasma, and the solid portion or the formed elements, are the red and white blood cells and the platelets.

Red blood cells deliver oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and transport carbon dioxide from the body to the lungs. White blood cells fight infection and kill off germs. Platelets combine with other blood components to form clots to prevent bleeding. Plasma, which is 90% water, is the medium in which all the blood components and clotting factors are transported.

Plasma contains ions (electrolytes) that help with osmotic pressure and pH balance, proteins that assist with clotting and immunity, and it transports nutrients, wastes, and hormones.

By volume, 51% of blood Is made up of plasma, and about 49% is made up of red blood cells. Less than 1% Is made up of platelets and white blood cells.

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9y ago

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