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💀anatomy and physiology i review

key term - Blood Plasma

Citation:

Definition

Blood plasma is the liquid component of blood, comprising about 55% of total blood volume. It is the medium in which blood cells are suspended and serves as a transport system for various substances essential for the body's function and homeostasis.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Blood plasma is composed of approximately 92% water and 8% dissolved substances, including proteins, nutrients, electrolytes, and waste products.
  2. The main proteins found in blood plasma are albumin, globulins, and fibrinogen, which play crucial roles in maintaining osmotic pressure, transporting substances, and blood clotting.
  3. Plasma serves as a transport medium for nutrients, such as glucose, amino acids, and lipids, delivering them to cells throughout the body.
  4. Electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and chloride are dissolved in plasma and help regulate fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contraction.
  5. Waste products, such as urea and creatinine, are also carried in the plasma for filtration and excretion by the kidneys.

Review Questions

  • Explain the composition and functions of blood plasma in the body's fluid compartments.
    • Blood plasma is the liquid component of blood, making up about 55% of total blood volume. It is composed of approximately 92% water and 8% dissolved substances, including proteins, nutrients, electrolytes, and waste products. Plasma serves as a transport medium, delivering essential substances like glucose, amino acids, and lipids to cells throughout the body. It also helps maintain fluid balance, nerve function, and blood clotting through the presence of electrolytes and proteins like albumin, globulins, and fibrinogen. As part of the extracellular fluid compartment, plasma interacts with the interstitial fluid to facilitate the exchange of materials between the blood and body tissues.
  • Describe the role of blood plasma in maintaining homeostasis within the body's fluid compartments.
    • Blood plasma plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis by regulating the composition and distribution of fluids within the body's compartments. As the main component of the intravascular fluid, plasma helps maintain the appropriate balance of water, electrolytes, and other dissolved substances. The proteins in plasma, particularly albumin, contribute to the osmotic pressure that draws water into the bloodstream, preventing fluid from accumulating in the interstitial spaces. Additionally, the transport of nutrients, waste products, and other substances by the plasma ensures that cells throughout the body receive the necessary materials and that metabolic byproducts are efficiently removed, supporting overall physiological balance.
  • Analyze how alterations in blood plasma composition can impact the fluid dynamics and homeostasis of the body.
    • Changes in the composition of blood plasma can significantly disrupt the body's fluid dynamics and homeostasis. For example, a decrease in plasma protein levels, particularly albumin, can lead to a reduction in oncotic pressure, causing fluid to shift out of the bloodstream and accumulate in the interstitial spaces, resulting in edema. Imbalances in electrolyte concentrations, such as sodium or potassium, can affect nerve and muscle function, as well as fluid balance. Additionally, the presence of excess waste products or toxins in the plasma can impair the body's ability to maintain proper pH and metabolic equilibrium. Understanding the delicate balance of plasma composition and its influence on the fluid compartments is crucial for identifying and managing various pathological conditions that involve disruptions in the body's homeostatic mechanisms.