The average adult has 8 – 12 pints of blood traveling all over his or her body through the heart, lungs, arteries, veins and capillaries. Blood is an essential part of our bodies that transports oxygen, nutrients, and metabolic waste. In addition to all that, blood performs these functions:
- Replenishes oxygen and removes carbon dioxide
- Distributes essential nutrients to cells
- Carries away metabolic waste materials for disposal
- Recognizes antigens (foreign substances) and produces antibodies (immune defense mechanisms)
- Clots cuts, wounds and scratches to prevent bleeding