Parts of the Blood: Blood Blood Cells Plasma Platelets Fibrin & Clotting Factors Erythrocytes (red) Leukocytes (white)

Plasma Liquid part of the blood Consists of water and dissolved substances such as salts, glucose, amino acids, hormones, vitamins, and waste products.

Fibrin Insoluble proteins that form fibres at the site of an injury (the foundation of a blood clot)

Leukocyte (white blood cell) Colourless cells that can produce antibodies and are able to move in and out of the vessels to the location of injury where they can surround and engulf foreign bodies http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnlULOjUhSQ

Erythrocyte (red blood cell) Contains hemoglobin (pigment that is red with the presence of oxygen and blue in the absence) and is responsible for oxygen transport Disk shaped and lack a nucleus

Platelets A small disk of red tissue which has no nucleus, they play an important role in blood clotting as they release serotonin which causes vessels to constrict so bleeding is reduced