Intriguing Facts About Blood and Blood Groups

Intriguing Facts About Blood and Blood Groups

 

Blood is a fascinating and essential component of our bodies. Let’s explore some intriguing facts about blood and blood groups:

1.Variety of Blood Colors:

While humans have red-colored blood, other organisms exhibit a rainbow of blood colors. For instance:

• Crustaceans, spiders, squid, octopuses, and some arthropods have blue blood.
• Certain types of worms and leeches have green blood.
• Marine worms can even have violet blood.
• Insects, including beetles and butterflies, possess colorless or pale-yellowish blood.

The color of blood depends on the type of respiratory pigment used to transport oxygen. Where in our blood cells it is found and named hemoglobin.

2.Blood Volume:

The adult human body contains approximately 1.325 gallons (5 liters) of blood.

Blood constitutes about 7 to 8 percent of a person’s total body weight.

3.Blood Composition:

Blood consists of several components:

• Plasma (about 55 percent): A yellowish liquid that carries nutrients, hormones, and waste products.
• Red blood cells (40 percent): Responsible for oxygen transport.
• Platelets (4 percent): Essential for blood clotting.
• White blood cells (1 percent): Crucial for immune defense. Neutrophils are most abundant.

4.Gold in Your Blood:

Yes, you read that right! Human blood contains small amounts of gold—approximately 0.2 milligrams.

5.Blood Cell Origins:

• All blood cells originate from hematopoietic stem cells.
• About 95 percent of the body’s blood cells are produced in the bone marrow.

6.Blood Types:

There are eight main blood types:

A positive, A negative, B positive, B negative, AB positive, AB negative, O positive, and O negative.

It is worth to mention that blood types play a crucial role in transfusions, organ transplants, and pregnancy compatibility.

7.Rh Factor and Pregnancy:

The Rh factor (positive or negative) significantly impacts pregnancy.

We know that compatibility between blood types is most crucial factor to avoid transfusion reactions and ensure successful pregnancies