Blood is a chemically complex vital fluid that plays critical roles in transporting essential substances such as the gases oxygen and carbon dioxide, and vital nutrients, supporting the body’s immunity, and maintaining bodily homeostasis. It is composed of plasma, an aqueous component constituting around 55% of total blood volume. Plasma is a complex mixture of water, electrolytes (ions), hormones, nutrients, waste products, and proteins. Amongst the most important plasma proteins are albumin, globulins, and fibrinogen. Albumin maintains osmotic pressure, preventing excessive fluid leakage from blood vessels into surrounding tissues. It also transports substances like hormones, fatty acids, and some drugs. Globulins can be divided into alpha, beta, and gamma globulins. Alpha and beta globulins transport lipids and metal ions, whilst gamma globulins are antibodies produced by the immune system, vital for defending against infections. Fibrinogen is essential for blood clotting where it is converted into fibrin, forming a physical mesh structure that helps trap blood cells and platelets to impede bleeding. Blood also carries within it hormones produced by various endocrine organs to regulate bodily functions, such as insulin for glucose metabolism and thyroid hormones for regulating metabolism. Blood also contains several cellular components suspended within the plasma. These components principally include red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes). Erythrocytes are the specialized red cells lacking nuclei and most organelles and instead filled with haemoglobin – a transport protein that binds oxygen. Erythrocyte’s main function is to transport oxygen from the lungs to body tissues and return carbon dioxide to the lungs for exhalation. Leukocytes are a diverse group of cells that play crucial roles in immune responses. They defend the body against infections combatting foreign pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. There are several different types of leukocytes in blood, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils, each with specific functions in immunity. Platelets are cell fragments of large multinucleated cells called megakaryocytes. Due to the process of maturation and fragmentation, platelets also lack a cell nucleus. They play a key role in blood clotting and wound healing. When a blood vessel is injured, platelets adhere to the site and release chemicals triggering clot formation. Functionally, blood serves several critical functions, including: 1) Transport. Blood carries oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout the body, facilitating essential physiological processes; 2) Immunity. White blood cells play critical roles in defending against foreign pathogens, contributing to the immune response; 3) Clotting. Platelets, together with fibrinogen, form clots, preventing excessive bleeding and aiding in wound healing; 4) Regulation. Blood helps regulate body temperature, pH balance, and electrolyte concentrations, maintaining organismal homeostasis; 5) Waste removal. Blood transports waste products, like carbon dioxide and urea, to organs responsible for their disposal. We offer a comprehensive product range of research tools for studying blood, including CD31 antibodies, CD63 antibodies, Albumin antibodies, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 1 ELISA Kits, and alpha 1 Fetoprotein ELISA Kits. Explore our full blood product range below and discover more, for less.