Structure of the Mammalian Blood

Topic Content:

The average adult has about 1.2 to 1.5 gallons (4.5 to 5.5 litres) of blood circulating inside their body. The mammalian blood consists of solid and liquid components.

The liquid portion of the blood is known as the plasma. The solid components which are the blood cells are suspended in the plasma.

Components of Blood:

There are many cellular structures in the composition of blood.  When a sample of blood is spun in a centrifuge machine, it separates into the following constituents: Plasma, buffy coat and red blood cells (erythrocytes). Thus blood contains Red blood cells, White blood cells, platelets and plasma.

Plasma:

The plasma is a pale yellow liquid made up of water (about 90%), salts, and protein. About 55% of our blood is plasma, and the remaining 45% are red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets that are suspended in the plasma.

Constituents of plasma:

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