Blood components - All you need to know

"Its there in my blood!" The phrase is popular and often used to describe one's character. But in true sense, what exactly does this red liquid contain? Why is it so vital for life? The components of blood tell the real story. This red liquid carries hundreds of secrets and facts, making it a "Medium of life".

Water - Nothing can exist without it!
The liquid part of blood termed plasma contains 92% water. Being the universal solvent, water is best suited as a medium to dissolve most blood cells blood components. Its extraordinary fluidity at rooam temperature and low evaportion rate make it a reliable backbone to suspend the blood volume inthe body

Life in the blood
Just as there exists aquatic life in water, blood also has its own living components - Blood cells! Living cells perform most of the functions which are essential for the body to survive, be it as simple as transport of materials or as complex as protection of the body.

The transporters - Red blood cells
being as numerous as 54,00,000 per cubic millimeter red blood cells (RBCs) are red coloured, hemoglobin containing cells. Made up of iron and protein, hemoglobin in RBCs gives red pigmentation to this colourless liquid. The presence of hemoglobin is so crucial that it acts as delivering oxygen to every nook and corner of the body. It also restricts any change in natural acidity (regulates the pH) of the blood .

The firewalls - White blood cells
The most efficient defense system of the body is of white blood cells (WBCs). It is the security force that protects body from any foreign invaders ready to gate crash!

62% Neutrophils:These are cells which can engulf pathogens like bacteria. They are most numerous among all WBCs and are the first cells to reach any site of infection or injury.

5% Monocytes: These cells, similar to neutrophils, have the ability to form macrophages which can munch or consume harmful bacteria fungi and viruses .

- 0.4% Basophils: They are responsible for provoking inflammation by releasing histamine (compound involved in immune response) and secrete substances that invite all the protective forces at the site of infection. In true sense, it is a messenger of the army!

- 2.3% Eosinophils: These work as special task forces against parasitic infections like Malaria and are also closely associated with allergies and asthma.

Lymphocytes with their peculiar characteristics are the most power- ful and specific security forces.

- B lymphocytes: These cells mature in bone marrow and give rise to antibodies, which have the ability to identify and destroy invading enemies (antigens) with unbelievable specificity. Post attack, these cells give rise to memory B cells (experienced lymphocytes) to combat similar infections in future with improved efficiency and speed.

- T Lymphocytes: These are class of cells that are cytotoxic in nature, i.e. they search and kill virus infected cells and tumour cells. Cancerous cells are formed almost everyday in the body, and with the efficiency of T cells, are cleared and killed successfully.

Platelets are small sticky cells, important for clotting of blood.

Some Important Solutes in the blood
Dissolved solutes that are present in plasma are important nutrients, excretory products, essential chemicals, etc. Circulation of these components and mediating their absorption and excretion are the tasks served by this red liquid.

All these components make blood a very special and crucial factor for life. Blood components are practically responsible for keeping the tissues, organs and systems in the body working in a coordinated manner.

Any minute change in the blood composition is indicative of a big challenge to health! Blood and blood components form the basis of any preventive or curative diagnostic and can even indicate probable risks for health conditions in the future, well ahead of time!

WBCS - The Health Defenders!

WBCs, also known as leukocytes or white corpuscles, are the cells which make up majority of the immune system. Unlike RBCs, they show the presence of nucleus and lack oxygen carrying capacity. They are part of the body which protects itself against foreign substances and various different types of infections. Leukocytes are made in the bone marrow from multipotent cells called hematopoietic stem cells. They are present in all parts of the body, including the connective tissue, lymph system, and bloodstream.

Leukocytosis: It is characterised by WBC count of more than 11,000 cells per microliter of blood, which is often a normal response of the body against an infection. High WBC count is also caused by cancers of the bone marrow (e.g. leukemia) or by the release of immature or abnormal cells.

Disorders of neutrophils and lymphocytes occur most commonly. Disorders involving monocytes and eosinophils are comparatively less common whereas those relating to abnormal basophils count are rare.

Testing @ HealthcareOntime
Since WBCs are specialised cells that battle against the various infections and foreign materials in the body, their assessment is crucial. It also gives an idea of existing health conditions, as abnormal WBC count can be correlated with diagnosis of various types of diseases. A simple blood tests is performed for screening of different WBC count using robust and advanced methodologies such as flow cytometry, hydrodynamic focusing, with high accuracy.

Though the body is equipped with these immunity soldiers, it is susceptible to various infections making body functions go haywire. Varying WBC levels can be the initial diagnosis for certain diseases, the blood results can be narrowed down to analysing the cause and devising a suitable treatment. Barry was amazed to know the facts about body soldiers who are relentlessly at war to keep him in pink of health. He made notes of all the points discussed by the doctor and started preparing his project thinking - I will make people aware of their body soldiers, meanwhile my father protects the country, with full enthusiasm.

"Cells in the body react to everything. To know about them is to know the problems in the body."