Blood is a connective tissue composed of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Plasma is mostly water containing dissolved proteins, glucose, clotting factors, and electrolytes. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin and lack nuclei. White blood cells form the immune system. Platelets initiate blood clotting in response to injury. The main functions of blood are transport, defense against infection, osmotic balance, respiration, temperature regulation, nutrient storage, and pH buffering.