FACTS: About blood

• What is blood?
It is a complex mix of cells and platelets in a clear
yellowish fluid called plasma. Washed along in the
plasma too are salts, hormones, fats, and sugars.
• Red blood cells
The most numerous blood cells are button-shaped
"red" blood cells, which are like rafts that ferry
oxygen around the body, held on board by a
protein called hemoglobin.
• White blood cells
Big "white" blood cells play a vital role in the
body's defense against disease. White blood
cells called neutrophils swallow invaders.
Lymphocytes help identify them.
• Platelets
Tiny cell fragments called platelets
help plug leaks such as cuts.
Blood is a mix of red cells
(erythrocytes), white
cells (leucocytes),
and tiny platelets