Blood is a liquid connective tissue. It’s composed of about 55% blood plasma and 45% different blood cells (Informed Health, 2019). You can expect to find RBC’s, platelets, and WBC’s (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes). The plasma itself is made up of water, proteins, nutrients, electrolytes, nitrogenous wastes, hormones, and gases (Saladin, 2021). The consistency of blood is dense, viscous, and sticky. It is a brighter red when it contains oxygen and a darker red when it doesn’t. The functions of blood are transportation of oxygen/nutrients/hormones, regulation of body temperature and pH, and protection. Blood is considered a connective tissue because it has a matrix, plasma, like the other connective tissues do.
Resources:
InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. What does blood do? [Updated 2019 Aug 29]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279392/
Libretexts. (2023, January 17). 16.1b: Physical Characteristics and volume. Medicine LibreTexts. https://med.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Anatomy_and_Physiology/Anatomy_and_Physiology_(Boundless)/16%3A_Cardiovascular_System_-_Blood/16.1%3A_Overview_of_Blood/16.1B%3A_Physical_Characteristics_and_Volume
Saladin, K. S., Gan, C. A., & Cushman, H. N. (2021). Anatomy & Physiology: The unity of form and function. McGraw-Hill Education.