Blood is a liquid mixture that is found in the biosphere in humans and animals. Blood is always red in appearance, liquid, and can be thick or thin in texture. The major products of blood are blood plasma, white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Blood has a vital role in our day to day lives and makes it possible for life as we know it as its functions are key to our survival. Blood transports oxygen and carbon dioxide around our body, moves nutrients, waste products and hormones to where they should be and also helps to regulate our body temperature. Blood also plays roles in protecting our bodies, such as destroying invading cancer cells and platelets which are found in blood start the clotting of blood …show more content…
to minimise blood loss and blood also helps regulate pH and water balance.
Different parts of the blood have different functions therefore the separation of blood into its products is necessary for blood transfusions, an example being a transfusion of red blood cells if the patient is suffering from a …show more content…
loss of blood or anaemia.
Uses
Blood can be separated into four main products being, plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
Plasma is a clear, pale liquid, yellowish part of the blood and contains proteins that help to aid in the clotting of blood.
Plasma transfusions are most commonly given to patients who are bleeding due to their blood not clotting. Plasma also contains antibodies which help to fight off infection.
Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs through the body and carbon dioxide to the lungs to be removed through exhaling. Red blood cell transfusions are given to people with anaemia, conditions that increase the need for oxygen and during and after surgeries to make up for blood loss. Red blood cell transfusions may also be used for newborn exchange transfusions.
White blood cell transfusions are not so common anymore due to debate of effectiveness but the white blood cells are very important for fighting infections. For this reason, white blood cell transfusions were generally given to patients going through chemotherapy as they often have low white blood cell count.
Platelets aid in the clotting process of blood. Cancer patients may require a transfusion if their body is not making enough (in the bone marrow). If platelet counts are below a certain safe level, transfusions may need to happen if the patient needs surgery or is at any risk of
bleeding.
Blood transfusions help save the lives of those who aren’t able to produce the correct amount of a required product in the blood.