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Formed Elements
A formed element is the simplest substance or constituent part of a system, in the case of blood, the non-fluid element. Blood is typically about 80 percent water, which can be best thought of as the medium of transmission for the formed elements of blood. All formed elements in blood are generated from bone marrow.
Red Blood Cells
Also called erythrocytes, red blood cells are the most common formed element in blood, giving blood its distinct coloration. Red blood cells are the primary means of transporting oxygen into the body's tissues and are comprised primarily of hemoglobin, which bonds oxygen easily. It is estimated that 25 percent of all cells in the human body are red blood cells.
White Blood Cells
Also called leucocytes, white blood cells comprise the primary cells of the immune system, which has the important task of defending the body against viral, bacterial and parasitic attacks. Many of these attacks specifically strike white blood cells first in order to exhaust the immune system, preparing the body for a worse attack. However, many symptoms of illness are the consequence of the immune system fending off an attack.
Platelets
Platelets are irregularly-shaped cell fragments that serve the primary function of hemostasis, which helps maintain the consistency of blood as well as keeps it inside of vessels, should they ever be punctured. Blood clots are a key part of the body's ability to repair and heal itself, self-sealing from the released pressure when a vessel is cut.