Function of the blood
What is the function of the blood?
The blood plays a very important role in the Cardiovascular System as it is responsible for a variety of functions that is needed to keep the body healthy.
The blood plays a very important role in the Cardiovascular System as it is responsible for a variety of functions that is needed to keep the body healthy.
- Red Blood Cells - carries oxygen to cells
the blood is responsible for transporting oxygen through red blood cells to the other cells in the body. It goes through the heart then around the body to all the bodies working cells, in order for them to carry out activities for longer. If you were playing football or any other sport the bodies muscles are required a substantial amount of oxygen in order for them to continuously work constantly. Red blood cells are red because it contains hemoglobin which is a chemical that transports oxygen and carbon dioxide within the red blood cells. As the blood flows through the body, hemoglobin releases oxygen into the cells along with transporting wastes away from the cells also. - Carries waste products - waste products are poisons to the body that are in need of removal in order for muscles to work efficiently The blood is in control of transporting wastes like carbon dioxide, lactic acid and urea to a variety of areas of the body via the capillaries network through the heart then to the lungs where it will be exhaled. In order for the body to work for longer periods of time, waste products are needed to be removed as excess build up can cause muscles to tighten and experiencing problems like cramp if not enough oxygen is supplied to the muscles and the excess of wastes are slowly being removed.
- Transportation of hormones - the blood is required to transport a variety of materials consisting of hormones that are known to regulate the body along with keeping it healthy; via transporting them through the blood from one organ to another.
- Transportation of nutrients and minerals - all cells that are found within the body all receive minerals and nutrients in order to remain healthy. Blood that contains these minerals are pumped via the variety of blood vessels that are contained within the blood. Glucose is the main type of nutrient that is transported through the blood. Glucose, referring to energy is taken from the food we consume. A person who eats very little will be a harm to the body as it will not be fueled enough to carry out activities. This person will experience fatigue as the body is unable to take glucose from food that they have not consumed. When a person eats very little, the body goes into 'Starvation Mode' which where the body will slowly break down the muscles and be fed off them. People are needed to understand the nutrition requirements of how much they should eat along with what they eat in order to remain healthy.
- Wastes to the Kidneys - The kidneys remove waste products from the blood, such as urea, in order to be transformed inside the bladder into urine where our body is naturally diffuse of this liquid to keep us healthy. It is important to drink plenty of water in order to flush the toxins into our kidneys for disposal.
- Platelets - fighting infections - platelets are within the blood in order to fight off infections such as blood loss or even keeping the body free from harm at a wound. Platelets are within the blood known to have no colour. They are found to be a sticky substance in order to clot the blood when needed. When the body recgonises that a open wound has happened, the body does not act well to blood loss so the platelets are there to form a mesh around the wound to stop the blood from being lost. The mesh is known to be a 'scab' which will first go through the stage of having a thin layer of 'jelly' like substance in order to be the under layer. Internal blood clots are also formed within the body if there is a incident where there is no wound. A bruise is a form of blood clot that again lead to healing the body. Some blood clotting is known to be vital and cause serious complications to the body. If a clot was to form in a blood vessel, like an artery it can cut of the blood flow and restrict oxygen from flowing around the body.
- White Blood Cells - these type of cells do not work with oxygen like the red blood cells. In fact the white blood cells are on alert all of the time to ensure that the body is free from infections/diseases. If there is a germ or an infection that is known to be, the white blood cells will work together to release anti bodies that will break down the infection and dispose of this via the blood vessel networks. White blood cells are also known to gather around an infection in order for it to demolish the bacteria present. Depending on how big of the infection the white blood cells with deal with it in different ways.
- Plasma - plasma is majority water (90%) and is essential for maintaining the body is in a healthy state. When the other cells are fighting off infections in addition to transporting oxygen they are needed to travel along the plasma in order to get to place to place. Plasma contains a variety of minerals like calcium along with salts and sugar levels also that regulate our body to remaining healthy.