Answer:
Blood performs several crucial functions in the body, essential for maintaining overall health and homeostasis. Here are the main functions of blood:
1. **Transportation of Substances**: Blood transports various substances throughout the body, including:
- **Oxygen**: Transported from the lungs to tissues via red blood cells (hemoglobin).
- **Nutrients**: Such as glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids absorbed from the digestive system.
- **Waste Products**: Including carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs for exhalation, and metabolic wastes to the kidneys for elimination.
2. **Regulation of pH and Electrolytes**: Blood helps regulate the pH balance (acidity or alkalinity) of body fluids by transporting buffers and excreting excess acids or bases through the lungs or kidneys. It also maintains electrolyte balance by transporting ions such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride.
3. **Maintenance of Body Temperature**: Blood helps distribute heat throughout the body, thereby helping to maintain a stable body temperature.
4. **Immune Function**: Blood contains white blood cells (leukocytes) and antibodies that help defend the body against pathogens (bacteria, viruses, etc.) and foreign substances.
5. **Clotting**: Blood contains platelets (thrombocytes) and clotting factors that help form blood clots to prevent excessive bleeding when blood vessels are injured.
6. **Hormonal Regulation**: Blood transports hormones from endocrine glands to target organs and tissues, regulating various physiological processes such as metabolism, growth, and reproduction.
These functions are vital for the proper functioning of cells, tissues, and organs throughout the body, ensuring overall health and homeostasis.
Answer:
Blood has several vital functions in the human body, including:
1. **Transport**: Blood transports oxygen from the lungs to the cells and carbon dioxide from the cells to the lungs. It also carries nutrients from the digestive tract to cells, waste products to the kidneys, and hormones from endocrine glands to target organs.
2. **Regulation**: Blood helps regulate body temperature by absorbing and distributing heat throughout the body. It also maintains pH balance through buffers and regulates fluid volume and composition in the body.
3. **Protection**: Blood plays a key role in the immune system by transporting white blood cells and antibodies to fight infections. It also contains platelets and clotting factors that help prevent excessive bleeding by forming blood clots in response to injuries.
4. **Homeostasis**: Blood maintains homeostasis by ensuring a constant environment for the cells. It balances electrolytes and distributes heat, helping maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes.
Explanation:
