Final answer:
The human body contains between 4.7 and 5.7 liters of blood, which is vital for transporting oxygen, nutrients, and wastes. Blood consists of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Blood volume varies slightly between males and females.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Human Blood System
In an average adult, the human body contains between 4.7 and 5.7 liters (5-6 quarts) of blood, making up about 8 percent of the body weight. Blood is essential for transporting nutrients, oxygen, and wastes throughout the body. It also plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis, regulating pH, temperature, and defending the body.
Blood is composed of several key components:
- Plasma, which is about 92 percent water and contains proteins and hundreds of other dissolved substances.
- Blood cells, which include erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells), and platelets.
Adult males typically have around 5 to 6 liters of blood, while females average 4-5 liters, reflecting the slight differences in blood volume between genders.
The functionality of blood is paramount; it is responsible for delivering vital substances such as oxygen and nutrients to cells. Blood plasma acts as a vehicle for these and many other crucial components such as hormones, clotting factors, and white blood cells.