MEDICAL BIOLOGY, HUMAN ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY - Y.I. Fedoniuk 2010

ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, PATHOLOGY

SECTION 4. THE BLOOD SYSTEM

FUNCTIONS OF BLOOD

Respiratory function: as Blood passes through the pulmonary capillaries, it releases carbon dioxide and takes up oxygen; passing through tissue capillaries, it delivers oxygen to the Organs and removes carbon dioxide.

Trophic function: during Digestion, nutrients enter the bloodstream and are distributed to all organs and every Cell.

Excretory function: cellular and tissue METABOLISM produces end products that are harmful to the Organism. Through the interstitial fluid, these waste products enter the blood and are transported to excretory organs such as the Kidneys and Sweat Glands.

Thermoregulatory function: maintains a constant body Temperature. This occurs as follows: blood is heated in high-energy organs (such as The Liver and Muscles) and transfers heat to less active organs and the Skin, through which heat dissipation takes place.

Regulatory function: blood mediates one of the fundamental mechanisms regulating body Functions—humoral regulation. This involves Hormones and other BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCES entering the bloodstream. They are carried by the blood throughout the body, thereby influencing target organs and altering their functional activity.

Protective function: involves defending the body against Bacteria, Viruses, and genetically foreign Cells and substances. Blood plays a key role in Immunity—the body's ability to resist infectious diseases. The protective function also includes the clotting mechanism of blood, which prevents blood loss.

All of these blood functions are aimed at maintaining the body's Homeostasis.