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what are the functions of blood
Blood has three main functions: transport, protection and regulation.
Transport
Blood transports the following substances:
    Gases, namely oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2), between the lungs and rest of the body
    Nutrients from the digestive tract and storage sites to the rest of the body.
    Waste products to be detoxified or removed by the liver and kidneys
    Hormones from the glands in which they are produced to their target cells
    Heat to the skin so as to help regulate body temperature.
Protection
Blood has several roles in inflammation:
    Leukocytes, or white blood cells, destroy invading microorganisms and cancer cells
    Antibodies and other proteins destroy pathogenic substances
    Platelet factors initiate blood clotting and help minimise blood loss.
Regulation
Blood helps regulate:
    pH by interacting with acids and bases
    Water balance by transferring water to and from the tissues


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