Blood makes up around 7% of the weight of a human body.

Blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. These blood cells float in a yellow liquid called blood plasma. Blood plasma is made up of 90% water and also contains various nutrients, electrolytes, gases, proteins, glucose and hormones.

Blood plasma can be separated from the cells by spinning blood in a device known as a centrifuge until the cells collect at the bottom of the tube.

Red blood cells have the important job of carrying oxygen around the body. They also contain a protein called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin contains iron which combines with oxygen to give hemoglobin and our blood, a red color.

Red blood cells develop in bone marrow and circulate in the body for around 120 days. White blood cells are an important part of the bodys immune system. They defend against certain bacteria, viruses, cancer cells, infectious diseases and other unwanted materials.

Platelets help blood clot in order to limit bleeding when your skin is cut. Blood clots can occasionally have negative effects, if they form in blood vessels going to the brain they can cause a stroke while clotting in a blood vessel going to the heart can lead to a heart attack.

As well as delivering important substances to our cells, blood also helps take away unwanted waste products.

Grouping human blood types can be a difficult process and there are currently around 30 recognized blood types (or blood groups). You might be familiar with the more simplified ABO system which categorizes blood types under O, A, B and AB. Do you know which blood type you are?

Many generous humans around the world give blood donations every year. This blood is used in important blood transfusions or made into medication.

There are strict rules that limit the number of people who can volunteer blood donations. These include screening processes that test for diseases that could be transmitted by a blood transfusion as well as ensuring recovery time for the donors body to replace its own blood.

One of the principal signs of life for humans is blood pressure, this is the measure of pressure that circulating blood has on the walls of blood vessels. Blood pressure is usually taken from a persons upper arm. Although averages vary from person to per son, a general human being is known to have a normal blood pressure of around 112/64 mmHg. High blood pressure can increase the risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Is blood thicker than water? Blood is about twice as thick as water, thanks to all the cells and other bits that float in it.

How long does it take a drop of blood to travel away from the heart and back again? Roughly 20 to 60 seconds. Why are red blood cells shaped like breath-mint disks with a dent in the middle? The breathmint design allows cells to twist through capillaries, the tiniest blood vessels. A sphere or cube is less flexible and might get stuck. Also, the dents in the cells add to the surface area, allowing more oxygen and carbon dioxide to pass in and out of the cell. Why do mosquitos feed on blood? Adult mosquitos actually eat the nectar of flowers. But mosquito babies need protein, not sugar, to grow. So their mothers feed on blood. Bloodsucking mosquito moms find you by sensing your body heat and breath. Then, with their proboscis, they drill a hole through your skin, into a capillary. Their saliva keeps the blood from clotting while they drink. Is all blood red? No. Crabs have blue blood. Their blood contains copper instead of iron. Earthworms and leeches have green blood - the green comes from an iron substance called chlorocruorin. Many invertebrates, such as starfish, have clear or yellowish blood. How much blood is in your body? Blood makes up about 10 percent of your body weight. Weigh yourself and divide your weight by 12 - that answer is about how many pints of blood your body has - adults usually have roughly 10 to 15 pints. A newborn baby has about one half pint or one cup of blood.
Facts About Blood and Your Blood Donation

The average adult has 10 to 12 pints of blood in their body; Your one donation can save up to 3 lives! No valid substitute for blood so when you need it the only place to get it is from other human beings; Medical research show African Americans have some rare blood traits found in their blood; Any day, these facts could mean the difference between life and death; Every 3 sec, someone needs a blood transfusion, that's 16 people every minute, 960 every hour; 23,040 every day, or 8,409,600 every year; You cannot get AIDS or any other disease by giving blood; You can give whole blood every 56 days, single platelets every 48 hours, or a single plasma donation every 28 days.

Blood Type and RH O Positive O Negative A Positive A Negative B Positive B Negative AB Positive AB Negative

% of Population 38% * 7% * 34% 6% 9% 2% 3% ** 1% **

* In an emergency, anyone can receive type O red blood cells. People with type O blood are known as universal donors. ** Type AB individuals can receive red blood cells of any ABO type. Those with type AB blood are known as universal recipients. In addition, AB plasma donors can give to all blood types. Does Your Blood Type Reveal Your Personality? According to a Japanese institute that does research on blood types, there are certain personality traits that seem to match up with certain blood types. How do you rate?

Type 0

You want to be a leader, and when you see something you want, you keep striving until you achieve your goal. You are a trend-setter, loyal, passionate, and self-confident. Your weaknesses include vanity and jealously and a tendency to be too competitive. You like harmony, peace and organization. You work well with others, and are sensitive, patient and affectionate. Among your weaknesses are stubbornness and an inability to relax. You're a rugged individualist, who's straight forward and like to do things your own way. Creative and flexible, you adapt easily to any situation. But your insistence on being independent can sometimes go too far and become a weakness. Cool and controlled, you're generally well liked and always put people at ease. You're a natural entertainer who's tactful and fair. But you're standoffish, blunt, and have difficulty making decisions.

Type A

Type B

Type AB