It’s inside many living creatures – from humans to polar bears – but not everyone knows what blood really is. In an adult’s body, there are nearly 11 pints of blood. This liquid is comprised of cells and plasma, a water liquid that cells float around in. Additionally, blood also contains a number of hormones, nutrients, and waste products.
When it comes to blood, there are three main kinds of cells: There are red and white blood cells, and there are platelets. The white cells fight disease, the red cells carry oxygen, and the platelets’ main function is to help with clotting (i.e. to stop bleeding, etc.).
Ever wonder why blood is red? Well, it’s simply a matter of numbers. There are more red blood cells than any of the others (i.e. roughly about 45% of one’s blood). Thus, blood is red.
The plasma, in which the blood cells float, is 90% water. The other 10% of the plasma is made up of protein molecules and proteins charged with holding hormones and vitamins, among other things, that the body needs.
Blood is how the body carries out a lot of its functions (i.e. how a person stays alive). It carries important items, it defends against infection, and it keeps oxygen flowing throughout the body. Thus, if a living creature loses too much blood, the body would then not be able to perform its functions and the creature would die. Blood may very well be thicker than water, but without it, living creatures wouldn’t stand a chance.
