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Human blood is composed of a yellowish fluid, called plasma. In this plasma, millions of cells that constitute about 45 percent by volume of whole blood are suspended. It has a characteristic odor and a specific gravity between 1.056 and 1.066. In an average healthy adult, the volume of blood accounts for about one-eleventh of the body weight (between 4.5 and 6 liters).

A great portion of the plasma is composed of water, a medium that facilitates the circulation of the many indispensable factors of which blood is composed. A cubic millimeter of human blood contains about 5 million red blood cells called erythrocytes; 5000 to 10,000 white blood cells called leukocytes; and 200,000 to 300,000 platelets called thrombocytes. The blood also carries many salts and organic substances in solution.

(Source: Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia
Last accessed: 26/10/10)

Check out the following interesting books:

(All Rights Reserved, Capstone Press, c2010)

The Bloody Book of Blood
by Kelly Regan Barnhill
Call Number: J English 612.1 BAR
Click here to check for item availability.

(All Rights Reserved, Scholastic, 2008)

Blood. Bones and Body Bits
by Nick Arnold
Call Number: J English 612 ARN
Click here to check for item availability.

(All Rights Reserved, Charlesbridge, c2010)

The Circulatory Story
by Mary K. Corcoran
Call Number: J English 612.1 COR
Click here to check for item availability.

Originally answered by Rosjihanah Mon
Associate Librarian, Children’s Services