HUMAN BODY FACT

What is the volume of blood present in my body?

The human body is comprised of approximately 6 quarts (5.6 liters) of blood. Acting as the body's transportation system, blood covers a distance of nearly 12,000 miles (19,312 kilometers) within a single day. Propelled by the heart, blood carries oxygen from the air we breathe and nutrients from the food we consume to every cell in our body. Over the course of a lifetime, the heart pumps 1 million barrels of blood, equivalent to filling three supertankers. Furthermore, blood plays a crucial role in maintaining cell cleanliness and health by eliminating waste products once the nutrients and oxygen have been utilized for processes like growth and repair. Additionally, blood serves as a carrier for hormones, which are chemical substances produced in glands that regulate various bodily functions, throughout the entire body.

What is the connection between blood and plasma, red blood cells, and white blood cells?

Plasma, a light yellow watery liquid, constitutes more than half of your blood. It contains essential nutrients, waste products, and various chemicals necessary for clotting wounds and preventing excessive blood loss. The remaining portion of your blood consists of small cells. The majority of these cells are red blood cells, responsible for distributing oxygen throughout your body and removing carbon dioxide, a waste gas released from your lungs. The remaining cells are white blood cells, which play a crucial role in protecting your body from infections by attacking and eliminating disease-causing germs. Despite being the smallest cells in your body, red blood cells compensate for their size with their abundance. In a drop of blood the size of a pinhead, there are approximately 5 million red blood cells, along with 10,000 white blood cells and 250,000 platelets. These platelets, small oval-shaped matter, gather at the site of a blood vessel injury to form a clot and aid in the healing process.

What is the reason behind the red color of blood?

As the young red blood cell matures within the bone marrow, it undergoes changes such as the loss of its nucleus and an increase in hemoglobin production. Hemoglobin, a protein combined with iron, gives blood its red color. When blood passes through the lungs, oxygen binds to the hemoglobin in the red blood cells. These oxygenated red blood cells then transport oxygen through the arteries and capillaries to all cells in the body. The arteries appear red due to the release of oxygen from the iron in the blood, which is utilized by oxygen-deprived cells. As the red blood cells return to the heart and lungs, they carry less oxygen than before. Consequently, the veins have lower oxygen levels compared to other tissues, resulting in a bluish appearance.

What other functions does my brain perform, apart from thinking?

The brain serves as the central control center for the body, overseeing and coordinating all of our actions and functions. Whether it's eating, speaking, walking, thinking, remembering, or sleeping, every activity is regulated and processed by the brain. Being the most intricate organ in the human body, it not only informs us about external stimuli (such as temperature sensations or identifying familiar or unfamiliar individuals approaching us) but also provides insights into our internal state (such as detecting infections, fractures, or emotions like happiness or sadness).

Essentially, the brain acts as the mastermind behind the body's nervous system. It comprises an astounding number of nerve cells, ranging from 10 billion to 100 billion, known as neurons. These neurons come together to form the body's intricate network of nerves, which extend throughout the entire body. Neurons receive and transmit electrical signals, referred to as impulses, that govern and respond to every action and sensation experienced by the body. The brain is in a constant state of receiving and transmitting messages, managing millions of nerve impulses per second.

What is the total number of components that make up the brain?

The human brain consists of three primary components: the cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the brainstem. The cerebrum, which accounts for approximately 85 percent of the brain's total weight, is responsible for regulating emotions, thoughts, memory, and speech. It is further divided into two hemispheres, each containing lobes. The outer layer of the cerebrum, known as the cortex, is composed of gray matter. On the other hand, the cerebellum coordinates involuntary movements that we often take for granted, such as maintaining balance, walking in a straight line, and achieving coordination. Lastly, the brainstem serves as the connection between the brain and the spinal cord, controlling essential bodily functions like breathing, digestion, and heart rate.