Blood components

Introduction
Blood has two components namely the liquid component also known as blood
plasma and cellular component which comprises of three types of cells called blood
cells. The blood cells makes about 45% of blood volume while the liquid component
called blood plasma makes about 55% of blood volume. Blood is composed of a
straw-coloured transparent fluid, plasma, in which different types of cells are
suspended.

Blood plasma
Blood plasma constitute the following
1. Plasma protein
2. inorganic salts (mineral salts)
3. Nutrients
4. organic waste materials
5. Hormones
6. Enzymes
7. Gases

Plasma proteins
Plasma proteins, which make up about 7% of plasma, are normally retained within
the blood, because they are too big to escape through the capillary pores into the
tissues. They are largely responsible for creating the osmotic pressure of blood
(normally 25 mmHg or 3.3 kPa*), which keeps plasma fluid within the circulation. If
plasma protein levels fall, because of either reduced production or loss from the
blood vessels, osmotic pressure is also reduced, and fluid moves into the tissues
(oedema) and body cavities.
Albumin
These are formed in the liver. They are the most abundant plasma proteins and their
main function is to maintain a normal plasma osmotic pressure. Albumins also act as
carrier molecules for lipids and steroid hormones.