What is plasma ?

Golden in color, blood plasma is the liquid and extracellular part of blood. It makes up about 55% of the total blood volume in humans. It circulates through the blood vessels and has several important roles:

➡️ Transports blood cells and nutrients
➡️ Regulates the body’s water and mineral salts
➡️ Irrigates tissues, protects against infections, and enables blood clotting

Composed of about 90% water, plasma also contains a variety of dissolved substances essential for the body’s functioning. Here are some of its main components:

1 – PROTEINS

Plasma contains many proteins, including:

Albumin is the most abundant protein. It is a large protein (65 kDa) produced by the liver. Thanks to its size, it helps transport small molecules that would otherwise be quickly eliminated from the body. It also plays a key role in maintaining water in the blood vessels by regulating oncotic pressure.

Immunoglobulins, secreted by white blood cells, are involved in the immune system. They specifically defend the body against pathogens (bacteria, viruses, etc.).

Clotting factors work together with platelets to stop bleeding.

2 – Electrolytes

Plasma contains various electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and chloride. These electrolytes play a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance, regulating osmotic pressure, transmitting nerve signals, and enabling muscle contraction.

3 – Nutrients

Plasma transports various essential nutrients such as glucose, amino acids, lipids, and vitamins, which are necessary for growth, metabolism, and cellular function.

4 – Hormones

In the body, hormones can be transported by various means, including blood plasma. Like nutrients such as glucose, amino acids, lipids, and vitamins, hormones are essential for growth, metabolism, and cell function.

5 – gaSES

Plasma also transports dissolved gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, which are exchanged between the lungs and body tissues.

5 – Waste Products

Plasma contains metabolic waste products such as urea, uric acid, and creatinine, which are transported to excretory organs to be eliminated from the body.