Blood

Tiny particles floating in a fluid:  Red blood cells  White blood cells  Platelets  Plasma ***A type of connective tissue

Plasma Fluid/ liquid part of the blood Mixture of water, minerals, nutrients, sugars, and proteins

Red Blood Cells (RBCs) Contain a protein called hemoglobin that carries oxygen The hemoglobin gives blood its red color

Platelets Pieces of larger cells from bone marrow Clump together to form a plug Releases chemicals to form fibers that turn into blood clots (stop bleeding)

White Blood Cells (WBCs) Help to defend the body against pathogens Pathogens (germs) are bacteria, viruses, or other particles that cause sickness Some release antibodies, which are chemicals that destroy pathogens Others destroy damaged cells

Blood and temperature regulation The brain sends signals for the blood vessels in the skin to enlarge when the body temperature is too high The heat is lost through the skin and cools the body

Blood Pressure Force of the blood on the walls of the arteries The units for blood pressure are mm Hg (mercury) High blood pressure can lead to kidney and heart damage