Name the components of formed elements in the blood and mention one major function of each of them.
Blood is a mobile connective tissue composed of a fluid, the plasma and formed elements. Formed elements includes erythrocytes, leucocytes and platelets. Blood corpuscles. (a) Erythrocytes are the most prevalent corpuscles (approx. 5 to5.5 million/mm3 of blood). They contain carbonic anhydrase enzymes which help in the transportation ofCO2 and haemoglobin pigment which helps in the transportation of O2. (b) Leucocytes lack any pigment and most active motile constituents of blood (approx. 6000-8000/ mm3 of blood). They may be of two types. 1. Granulocytes are the cells containing granules and a polymorphic nucleus. Neutrophils: responsible for protection against infection. Eosinophils: play important role in an allergic reaction. Basophils: significant in inflammatory reaction. 2. Agranulocytes are cells which lack granules Lymphocytes play a key role in immunological reactions. Monocytes are phagocytic in nature. (c) Platelets: There are involved in the coagulation or clotting of blood.
