Blood transfusion is the process of transferring blood or blood products into one's circulation intravenously. Transfusions are used for various medical conditions to exchange lost components of the blood. Early transfusions used blood, but modern practice commonly uses only components of the blood, like red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, clotting factors, and platelets.
Red blood
cells (RBC) contain hemoglobin and provide the
cells of the body with oxygen. White blood
cells aren't commonly used during transfusion, but are a part of the system, and fight infections. Plasma is that the liquid a part of the blood, which acts as a buffer and contains proteins and important substances needed for the body's overall health. Platelets are involved in blood coagulation, preventing the body from bleeding. Before these components were known, doctors believed that blood was homogenous. Because of this, many patients died because incompatible blood was transferred to them.
Relevant Topics in General Science
