Blood plasma

Blood plasma is the fluid component of blood, carrying blood cells and dissolved substances such as proteins, nutrients, hormones, and wastes. It is mostly water and contains clotting factors and antibodies.

Water: Water is a chemical compound made of hydrogen and oxygen, serving as the main solvent in living organisms. Water makes up most plasma and dissolves many of the substances it carries.
Blood circulation: Blood circulation is the movement of blood through the heart and blood vessels. Circulation carries plasma and its contents between organs and tissues.
Blood plasma donation: Blood plasma donation is the collection of plasma from a donor for transfusion or the manufacture of medicines. Donated plasma supplies transfusion components and source material for plasma-derived therapies.
Interstitial fluid: Interstitial fluid is extracellular fluid that surrounds and bathes tissue cells. It exchanges water and dissolved substances with plasma across capillary walls.
Albumin: Albumin is the most abundant protein in blood plasma, produced mainly by the liver. Its concentration helps maintain the osmotic force that keeps water in blood vessels.
Starling equation: The Starling equation describes fluid movement across capillary walls as a balance of hydrostatic and oncotic pressures. Plasma proteins create oncotic pressure that influences fluid exchange across capillaries.
Plasmapheresis: Plasmapheresis is a procedure that separates plasma from blood cells and removes or replaces it. It treats some diseases by removing harmful substances carried in plasma.
Lymph: Lymph is fluid collected from tissues and carried through lymphatic vessels toward the bloodstream. It returns fluid and proteins that have left plasma to the circulation.
Fibrinogen: Fibrinogen is a soluble plasma protein that is converted into fibrin during blood clotting. It is a major plasma protein that supplies the material for forming a clot.
Blood clotting: Blood clotting is the process that forms a fibrin-rich plug to limit bleeding after vessel injury. Plasma clotting factors trigger the reactions that produce fibrin.

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