This chapter deals with a major connective tissue--blood. It describe the general characteristics and major functions of blood (objective 1). This chapter identifies the various types of blood cells, and the components and functions of blood plasma (objectives 2 and 6). It explains blood cell counts, blood cell typing, red blood cell life cycle, control of red blood cell production, blood coagulation, and reaction to mixing of blood types (objectives 3-5 and 7-11).

Knowledge of the blood and its components expands the concept of how cells meet their need for oxygen. This knowledge also helps in understanding how the body recognizes and rejects foreign protein.