Your blood normally makes up approximately 8 percent of your total body weight. Having very important functions, each type of blood cell has its own division of labor. But overall, the responsibilities of your blood include delivering oxygen and nutrition to your tissues, removing carbon dioxide and waste products, defending you against foreign substances, and preventing your loss of blood.
Erythrocytes
Erythrocytes are your red blood cells. Their shape is called biconcave, meaning that they curve inward on both sides. So, the thinnest part of red blood cells is the center, which is why they seem to be clear in the middle. It is the job of your erythrocytes to release the carbon dioxide that they are carrying to your lungs and pick up oxygen from your lungs to deliver to all the tissues throughout your body. To be able to do this, they have a protein called hemoglobin, where the oxygen and carbon dioxide attach.
Neutrophils
You have five types of white blood cells. Your neutrophils are one type, and they make up most of the white blood cells in your body. Neutrophils are also called PMNs, or polymorphonuclear leukocytes. They have this term because their nuclei are polymorphic, or have more than one form, and leukocyte is another word for a white blood cell. They have the job of protecting you against infections caused by bacteria. When bacteria attack, your neutrophils will seek them out and use substances called granules to kill them.
Eosinophils
Eosinophils are another type of white blood cell. Like neutrophils, they have granules but their granules are targeted against worms. According to Anthony Mescher, PhD, Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, eosinophils will surround any worms that invade your body. And your numbers of eosinophils will increase if you are having an asthma attack or an allergic reaction.
Basophils
Another type of white blood cell, basophils release their granules when you come in contact with an allergen for the second time. (An allergen is a substance that causes an allergic reaction.) The granules of basophils contain histamine, which causes your blood vessels to dilate, and heparin, which prevents clotting. As explained by Dr. Mescher, some people who are stung by a bee go into anaphylactic shock because their basophils release granules so quickly that their blood vessels quickly dilate and their blood pressure drops.
Monocytes
When your tissues become injured, these white blood cells will go to that site and change into macrophages. As macrophages, they can take up bacteria and pieces of destroyed cells. Some monocytes will even go to your lungs, bones and central nervous system to monitor and defend against foreign substances there.
Lymphocytes
You have three kinds of these white blood cells; B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells. Your B lymphocytes are responsible for making your antibodies. T lymphocytes and NK cells are responsible for directly attacking and destroying foreign substances, but your T lymphocytes also notify the B lymphocytes that foreign substances are present.
Platelets
As explained by Elizabeth Corwin, PhD in "Handbook of Pathophysiology," platelets are actually fragments of cells called megakaryocytes (called this because they are so big). It is the job of platelets to begin the blood clotting process. It is their job to help prevent your loss of blood and help isolate any infection.
References
- "Handbook of Pathophysiology"; Elizabeth Corwin, MSN, PhD, FNP; 2000
- "Junqueira's Basic Histology: Text & Atlas"; Anthony Mescher, PhD; 2010
