Blood is comprised of which of the following components?

Blood is a specialized bodily fluid that plays a vital role in various physiological functions, including transportation of nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormones, and waste products. The primary components of blood include red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma.

Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and bringing carbon dioxide back to the lungs for exhalation. White blood cells are essential for the immune system, helping to defend the body against infections and foreign invaders. Platelets are crucial for blood clotting, preventing excessive bleeding when injuries occur. Plasma, which is the liquid component of blood, carries cells, nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout the body.

The other options contain components that are part of different systems in the body. Bone and cartilage are components of the skeletal system, neurons and glial cells are part of the nervous system, and dendrites and axons are structures involved in neuron function. These alternatives do not relate to the composition of blood, reinforcing that the correct choice accurately reflects the composition known in hematology.