What is blood plasma made of?

Blood plasma is primarily composed of water, proteins, electrolytes, hormones, clotting factors, and waste products.

Blood plasma is a yellowish liquid component of blood that holds the blood cells in whole blood in suspension. It is the intravascular fluid part of extracellular fluid (all body fluid outside cells). It makes up about 55% of the body's total blood volume. It is a complex mixture of water, proteins, electrolytes, lipids, hormones, vitamins, and waste products.

The largest component of blood plasma is water, which accounts for about 92% of the volume. This water provides a medium for the circulation of substances throughout the body, including nutrients, waste products, hormones, and gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Proteins are the second largest component, making up about 7% of plasma by volume. These proteins include albumins, globulins, and fibrinogen. Albumins are the most abundant proteins and they help to maintain the osmotic balance between the blood and tissue fluids. Globulins are involved in immune responses, while fibrinogen is a clotting factor that helps to prevent excessive bleeding.

Electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, and bicarbonate, make up less than 1% of plasma. They help to maintain the body's pH balance and are involved in many essential processes, such as nerve conduction and muscle contraction.

Hormones are also present in plasma. These are chemical messengers that are transported to different parts of the body to regulate various physiological functions. Waste products, such as urea and creatinine, are also found in plasma. These are produced by the body's metabolic processes and are removed from the body by the kidneys.

In summary, blood plasma is a complex mixture of various substances, each playing a crucial role in maintaining the body's homeostasis. It is a vital component of the circulatory system, facilitating the transport of materials throughout the body.