Blood cell Blood cell A blood cell, also called a hematopoietic cell, hemocyte, or hematocyte, is a cell produced through hematopoiesis and found mainly in the blood. Major types of blood cells include; Together, these three kinds of blood cells add up to a total 45% of the blood tissue by volume, with the remaining 55% of the volume composed of plasma, the liquid component of blood. Red blood cells or "erythrocytes", primarily carry oxygen and collect carbon dioxide through the use of haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is an iron-containing protein that gives red blood cells their color and facilitates transportation of oxygen from
Blood donation in England and each donation usually gives two or three adult doses. One adult dose of platelets would otherwise require four whole blood donations. Blood is made in the bone marrow. It is composed of red blood cells, platelets, plasma and white blood cells, collectively referred to as blood components. Donations given at regular blood donation sessions are referred to as "Whole Blood". Platelets are very small cells. They work with the clotting factors in plasma to form a mesh "plug" to stop or prevent bleeding. Plasma is the fluid part of the blood. It contains protein, salts and clotting factors. White