What is the primary composition of plasma in blood?

Study for the Exchange Surfaces Test. Get ready with flashcards, multiple choice questions, and detailed explanations. Ace your exam!

Multiple Choice

What is the primary composition of plasma in blood?

Explanation:
The primary composition of plasma in blood is 90% water and 10% dissolved substances. Plasma serves as the liquid medium in which blood cells, nutrients, hormones, and waste products are suspended and transported throughout the body. The high water content is crucial, as it helps maintain blood volume and pressure, provides a medium for biochemical reactions, and facilitates the transportation of various substances. Dissolved substances in plasma include proteins (such as albumin, globulins, and fibrinogen), electrolytes (such as sodium, potassium, and chloride), nutrients (like glucose and amino acids), and waste products (such as urea and creatinine). This composition enables plasma to carry out essential physiological functions, including maintaining pH balance and osmotic pressure. The incorrect options highlight misunderstandings about the proportions and types of constituents in plasma. For example, suggesting that plasma is 50% cells and 50% proteins misrepresents the relative amounts of cellular and liquid components. Additionally, indicating a composition of 70% blood cells and 30% electrolytes overlooks the fluid nature of plasma and does not accurately portray its makeup. Lastly, stating that plasma consists of 100% cellular components is inaccurate, as plasma is fundamentally the acellular liquid

The primary composition of plasma in blood is 90% water and 10% dissolved substances. Plasma serves as the liquid medium in which blood cells, nutrients, hormones, and waste products are suspended and transported throughout the body. The high water content is crucial, as it helps maintain blood volume and pressure, provides a medium for biochemical reactions, and facilitates the transportation of various substances.

Dissolved substances in plasma include proteins (such as albumin, globulins, and fibrinogen), electrolytes (such as sodium, potassium, and chloride), nutrients (like glucose and amino acids), and waste products (such as urea and creatinine). This composition enables plasma to carry out essential physiological functions, including maintaining pH balance and osmotic pressure.

The incorrect options highlight misunderstandings about the proportions and types of constituents in plasma. For example, suggesting that plasma is 50% cells and 50% proteins misrepresents the relative amounts of cellular and liquid components. Additionally, indicating a composition of 70% blood cells and 30% electrolytes overlooks the fluid nature of plasma and does not accurately portray its makeup. Lastly, stating that plasma consists of 100% cellular components is inaccurate, as plasma is fundamentally the acellular liquid

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy