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Article: A cut above: blood.
- Article from:
- Jack & Jill
- Article date:
- September 1, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 Benjamin Franklin Literary & Medical Society, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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WHAT IS BLOOD MADE OF?
Blood is mostly a watery substance called plasma. It is slightly yellow and contains many different chemicals. Blood also has solid particles, including red blood cells; white blood cells, and platelets. Red blood cells are small and shaped like candy lifesavers. One drop of blood has about five million red blood cells. White blood cells are larger, colorless; and have many different shapes. The center of a red blood cell is called a nucleus (NEW-klee-us). There are about 7,000 to 10,000 white blood cells in a drop of blood. These help fight off infections. Platelets (PLATE-lits) are tiny and shaped like circles or sticks. One drop of blood ...