What Is Blood Plasma Made Of?

Blood plasma is the yellowish liquid component of blood in which blood cells are normally suspended. It makes up about 55 percent of the blood by volume and is composed primarily of water and proteins.

Composition

• Blood plasma is about 92 percent water with 6.5 percent proteins. The remaining components are 0.8 percent salts, 0.6 percent lipids and 0.1 percent glucose.

Albumin

• Albumin makes up the majority of the protein in plasma. Its primary purpose is to keep blood from leaking out of blood vessels and to bind certain hormones.

Immunoglobulins

• Most of the remaining proteins in blood plasma are immunoglobulins. This class of proteins is involved in actively defending the body against invaders such as bacteria, fungi and bacteria. Immunoglobins also help clot the blood.

Preparation

• Blood plasma can be separated from blood cells by spinning the whole blood in a centrifuge. Centrifugal force will push the heavier blood cells to the bottom of the test tube, leaving the lighter plasma on top.

Function

• The primary function of blood plasma is to serve as a reservoir for water. It supplies water to cells that are dehydrated and also absorbs excess water from cells.