Components of Blood – Biology Notes for SSC CGL

Components of Blood: Blood is one of the most important fluids in the human body. It performs the functions of transporting oxygen and essential nutrients into the cells and also transporting metabolic wastes from the same cells. It is very essential for the survival of the human body. In this blog, we will be learning about the components of blood which is an important part of the General Awareness syllabus of SSC CGL. It is also useful for other SSC, Railways exams.

Components of Blood

Blood consist of four components which are as follows:

1. Plasma
2. Red Blood Cells (RBC)
3. White Blood Cells (WBC)
4. Platelets

Plasma

1. Plasma is the liquid component of blood.
2. It constitutes around 55% of the volume of blood.
3. The plasma is around 90% water, and the remaining 10% is made up of ions, dissolved gases, proteins, nutrient molecules, and wastes.

Functions of Plasma

The following are the functions of plasma:

1. Maintaining proper or optimised blood pressure.
2. Supplying proteins that are essential for clotting and providing immunity
3. Serves to maintain a proper pH balance in the body
4. To maintain homeostatsis in human body

Red Blood Cells or RBC

1. Red blood cells are also known as Red Blood Corpuscles or erythrocytes.
2. Red blood cells are disc shaped cells that contain hemoglobin, which is essential for transporting oxygen from lungs to all cells and organs in the body and also carry carbon dioxide from these cells and organs to lungs for excretion.
3. Red blood cells do not have nucleus. The exception cases are Camel and Llama
4. RBC are formed in the bone marrow.
5. The lifespan of RBC is 120 days.
6. RBC are destroyed mostly in liver and spleen. Liver is also called as the graveyard of RBC.

Functions of Red Blood Cells

Red blood cells have the following functions:

1. Transporting oxygen from lungs to cells and organs
2. Carrying carbon dioxide from cells and organs to lungs for excretion.

White Blood Cells or WBC

1. White Blood cells are also known as White Blood Corpuscles or leukocytes.
2. Lifespan of WBC in man is around 13-20 days.
3. WBC have a nucleus.
4. WBC are of two types: 1. Granulocytes and 2. Agranulocytes

Functions of White Blood Cells

Following are the functions of white blood cells:

1. White blood cells are body’s primary defense against infection.
2. White blood cells reach the site of infection and provide resistance.

Platelets

1. Platelets are known as Thrombocytes
2. Platelets also lack a nucleus
3. Lifespan of platelets in human is around 8-12 days.
4. Platelets are also formed in the bone marrow.
5. Platelets are destroyed in the spleen.

Functions of Platelets

The function of platelets are as follows:

1. Platelets help in clotting of blood that prevents bleeding.
2. Repair damaged blood vessel.

Important Facts about Blood

1. The study of blood and blood disorders is known as Hematology
2. Hemoglobin contains Iron
3. The level of hemoglobin is different for males and females. Females have less hemoglobin in blood.
4. Anemia is a disorder that is caused due to low levels of hemoglobin in blood.
5. Vitamin K plays an essential role in clotting of blood.
6. The concept of Blood group was discovered by Landsteiner in 1900.
7. Heparin is an anti-coagulant that is present in blood. It ensures smooth flow of blood through the body.

Conclusion

This was all about the components of blood which is an important topic for the SSC CGL exam and other SSC and Railways exams. We hope that this blog will be helpful for the SSC CGL aspirants in their exam preparation. For more updates, stay connected to Oliveboard.

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