Question

Short answer question.

Write a note on blood plasma.

Answer 1

1. Blood plasma is a yellowish-coloured liquid component of blood that normally holds the blood cells in whole blood in suspension; this makes plasma the extracellular matrix of blood cells. It makes up about 55% of the body's total blood volume. It is the intravascular fluid part of extracellular fluid (all body fluid outside cells).
2. Plasma consists of water, proteins (albumin, globulin, properdin, prothrombin, fibrinogen), inorganic salts (Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Mn and Cl^-, `"HCO"_3^(-)`, and `"PO"_4^(3-)`), food (glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, triglycerides), wastes (urea, uric acid and creatinine), regulators (hormones, enzymes, vitamins), anticoagulants (heparin), cholesterol and antibodies, dissolved gases (O₂, CO₂, N₂). Plasma contains 90% water, 7-8% proteins, inorganic salts – 1% and other substances 1-2%.

Functions of plasma -

1. It carries blood cells and metabolic waste.
2. It helps in maintaining water content and temperature.
3. Contains clotting factors to form a blood clot.
4. Plasma also serves as the protein reserve of the human body.
5. It plays a vital role in an intravascular osmotic effect that keeps electrolytes in balanced form and protects the body from infection and other blood disorders.