Blood Blood has four main components:Plasma is a straw-colored fluid. It is about 90 percent water and 10 percent dissolved gases, salts, nutrients, enzymes, hormones, waste products, plasma proteins, cholesterol, and other important compounds. Parts of plasma help control body temperature, transport substances, and fight infection. Plasma proteins are involved in blood clotting.Red blood cells transport oxygen. Blood gets its red color from the iron in hemoglobin, a protein that binds oxygen in the lungs and releases it in the capillaries.White blood cells guard against infection, fight parasites, and attack bacteria.Platelets are cell fragments involved in blood clotting.
6. Complete the table to describe the characteristics and functions of blood.
Component
Characteristics
Function
Plasma
Red blood cells
White blood cells
Platelets
