Five formed elements and their functions

Five formed elements and their functions

1.     Erythrocytes or red blood cells (RBSs)- The primary function of these cells is to carry oxygen and carbon dioxide to all parts of the body. They deliver oxygen to the tissues and return carbon dioxide rom the tissues to the lungs. They are the most numerous in the blood.  Erythrocytes do not need a nucleus to carry out the function of the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

2.     Leukocytes or white blood cells (WBCs)-White blood cells provide protection against foreign organisms and matter. They circulate throughout the body and tissues. To carry out their function the white blood cell must be highly mobile. They are confined to the blood stream and slip in and out of blood vessels.

3.     Platelets also know, as megakaryocytes-Their main function is to form clots to stop bleeding. It also plays a huge role in homeostasis (prevention of blood loss).

4.     Granulocytes: Neutrophils- is phagocytes that are partial to bacteria and fungi, which they destroy when they invade.

      5.   Eosinophils- they increase during infections of parasites.  They gather and release enzymes from their cytoplasmic granules onto the parasite and digest   it away.