Blood Plasma

 Blood Plasma.

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Introduction:

• Blood is a fluid connective tissue made of two components Plasma and Blood Cells.

• Blood performs many important functions in the body like, transportation, regulation and protection.

• Blood is thick in appearance and has a temperature slightly higher than body temp. and pH is 7.4.

Plasma:

• It is a straw colored liquid made up of 92% water and 8% dissolved or suspended substances.

• The dissolved or suspended substances include;

• Plasma Proteins.

• Dissolved minerals.

• Gases.

• Nutrients.

• Hormones.

Plasma Proteins:

• They constitute around 7% of the plasma.

• They are responsible for “Osmotic Pressure” of the blood which keeps the components in plasma in circulation.

• All plasma proteins except immunoglobulins are formed in the liver.

1. Albumins:

• They constitute around 60% of total plasma proteins.

• Their main function is to create and maintain osmotic pressure.

• They also provide binding sites for drugs, hormones and steroids.

2. Globulins:

• Also known as “Antibodies (Immunoglobulins)”.

• They are synthesized by Lymphocytes.

• They have an important role in immunity that is in protection.

• They also provide binding sites to certain hormones and minerals.

Clotting Factors:

• The chemicals involved in coagulation of blood are known as clotting factors.

• Most common clotting factor is fibrinogen.

• The plasma from which clotting factors are removed is called “Serum”.

Electrolytes:

• The pH of blood is maintained between 7.35 and 7.45 (slightly alkaline) by an ongoing complicated series of chemical activities, involving buffering systems.

• The electrolytes dissolved in plasma have a variety of functions.

Nutrients:

• The nutrients absorbed from digestive tracts are present in plasma from where they are transported to various cells.

• Nutrients mainly include glucose, amino acids, fatty acids and vitamins.

Waste products:

• Urea, creatinine and uric acid are the waste products of protein metabolism. 

• They are formed in the liver and carried in the blood to the various sites for excretion.

Hormones:

• The products of Endocrine glands are poured directly in the blood.

• Blood transports hormones to their respective target organs.

Gases:

• Oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen are transported around the body dissolved in plasma.

• Oxygen is bound to Hemoglobin while most of the Carbon dioxide is available as dissolved bicarbonate ions.

• Nitrogen is available in dissolved form but has no physiological role.

Commonly Asked Questions.

1. Write a note on blood plasma.

2. Write a note on plasma proteins.