Functions of Blood

Functions of Blood

Functions of blood
Blood has three main functions: transport, protection and regulation.
Transport
Blood transports the following substances:
• Gases, namely oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2), between the lungs and rest of the body
• Nutrients from the digestive tract and storage sites to the rest of the body
• Waste products to be detoxified or removed by the liver and kidneys
• Hormones from the glands in which they are produced to their target cells
• Heat to the skin so as to help regulate body temperature

Protection
Blood has several roles in inflammation:
• Leukocytes, or white blood cells, destroy invading microorganisms and cancer cells
• Antibodies and other proteins destroy pathogenic substances
• Platelet factors initiate blood clotting and help minimise blood loss

Regulation
Blood helps regulate:
• pH by interacting with acids and bases
• Water balance by transferring water to and from tissues