THE NECTOR
Blood is the fluid of life, transporting oxygen from the
lungs to body tissue and carbon dioxide from body tissue
to the lungs. Blood is the fluid of growth, transporting
nourishment from digestion and hormones from glands
throughout the body. Blood is the fluid of health,
transporting disease fighting substances to the tissue and
waste to the kidneys.
Because it contains living cells, blood is alive. Red
blood cells and white blood cells are
responsible for nourishing and cleansing the body. Since the cells
are alive, they too need
nourishment.
Vitamins and Minerals keep the blood healthy. The blood cells
have a definite life cycle, just as all living organisms do.
Approximately 55 percent of blood is plasma,
a straw-colored clear liquid. The liquid plasma carries the solid cells
and the platelets which help blood
clot. Without blood platelets, you would bleed to death.
When the human body loses a little bit of blood through a
minor wound, the platelets cause the blood to clot so that
the bleeding stops. Because new blood is always being made
inside of your bones, the body can replace the lost blood.
When the human body loses a lot of blood through a major
wound, that blood has to be replaced through a blood
transfusion from other people.
But everybody's blood is not the same. There are four
different blood types. Plus, your
blood has Rh factors which make it
even more unique. Blood received through a transfusion
must match your own. Patients who are scheduled to have major surgery
make autologous blood donations (donations of their own blood)
so that they have a perfect match.
The average adult has about five liters of blood living
inside of their body, coursing through their vessels,
delivering essential elements, and removing harmful
wastes. Without blood, the human body would stop working.
© 1995 , The Franklin Institute Science Museum , All rights reserved.
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