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The straw-colored liquid portion of the blood that carries nutrients, hormones, and waste products to and from the cells. The non-cellular liquid component of un-clotted whole Blood. Plasma is the liquid medium in which the formed elements of Blood are suspended and comprises the major portion of whole Blood. Plasma is composed of 92% water, 7% protein and 1% minerals, containing 6.5-8.0 grams of protein per deciliter of Blood. The main proteins in plasma are: albumin (60%), globulins (alpha-1, alpha-2, beta and gamma globulins (immunoglobulins) and clotting proteins (especially fibrinogen). These proteins function to maintain oncotic pressure (especially albumin), transport substances such as lipids, hormones, medications, vitamins, and other nutrients. These proteins are also part of the immune system (immunoglobulins), help Blood to clot (clotting factors), maintain pH balance, and are enzymes in chemical reactions throughout the body. Plasma is used to treat clotting disorders, burn victims and shock.

See also:

* Blood Glossary

glossary/plasma.txt · Last modified: 2012/10/16 14:40 (external edit)