The chapter Body fluids and circulation discusses in detail about the connective tissue comprised of a fluid matrix, plasma and formed elements – Blood. Apart from blood, the body also consists of lymph, a tissue fluid.
Blood is a special connective tissue consisting of a fluid matrix, plasma, and formed elements (erythrocytes, leukocytes and thrombocytes). Blood is the most commonly used body fluid in most of the higher organisms, including humans. Another body fluid, lymph, also helps in the transport of certain substances. In this chapter, we shall explore the composition and properties of blood and lymph (tissue fluid) and the mechanism of circulation of blood is also explained herein.