Final answer:
Hematocrit levels are the volume percentage of erythrocytes in blood, varying between genders; females typically range from 37 to 47, while males range from 42 to 52. These differences reflect varying compositions of plasma and erythrocytes between sexes, influenced by physiological factors like muscle mass and metabolic rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hematocrit levels differ between males and females, with normal values for females ranging from 37 to 47 and for males from 42 to 52. These values represent the volume percentage of erythrocytes in a sample of centrifuged blood, also known as packed cell volume (PCV). The mean hematocrit is 41 for females and 47 for males, indicating that approximately 59% of female blood and 53% of male blood is plasma, as erythrocytes make up the remainder.
Factors such as gender, iron deficiency anemia, and overall muscle mass and metabolic rate can influence hematocrit levels. Men typically have greater muscle mass and consequently a higher basal metabolic rate, which can account for the slight differences in hematocrit and plasma percentage between the sexes. It's important to note that white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets constitute a very small percentage and are not normally considered in hematocrit values.