What is Plasma?| Composition |Function| Use| Physiology

                                                   Plasma

In this article, we will learn about plasma, which is present in our bodies. We will discuss its composition, functions, and clinical uses.

Keywords: Green plasma, Opaque plasma, 'Dried plasma strips of material, Reddish or dark brown, convalescent plasma therapy Simulated body fluid.'

Table of contents

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1. Definition

2. Composition of plasma

3. Functions

4. Uses of plasma

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Definition: 

Blood is a living connective tissue in a fluid state and clots when outside blood vessels. The average blood volume is 5 liters (range  5-6 liters) and consists of fluid and cellular portions. Plasma is the fluid portion of blood. Blood consists of two parts: 

The liquid portion of the blood is known as plasma. Plasma constitutes 55% of the total blood volume. Plasma is a clear, light yellow-colored fluid due to bilirubin, hemoglobin, and transferrin. The color of plasma may vary in abnormal conditions:

Green plasma 

Green plasma may be due to ceruloplasmin or some medicine, e.g. sulfonamides.

Reddish or dark brown plasma

Reddish or dark brown plasma is present in case of excessive hemolysis.

Opaque plasma

Opaque plasma is present in hyperlipidemia. 

45% RBC,55% PLASMA
The white area is Buffy coat, about 1%

Composition of plasma:

Water is 91% and 9% solid substances. The solid substances  are :

Inorganic substances consist of 1% solid. They are in ionic form: sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphate bicarbonate, chloride, and iron.

Organic substances: plasma protein is 7%, and non-protein nitrogenous substances like enzymes and fat are 1%.

2) Formed blood elements constitute 45% of blood in which three types of cells- RBC, WBC, and Platelets are present.

Functions:

The fluid portion of the blood is plasma. Plasma was known from ancient times as Vesalius (i 1514-1564).1628 William Harvey described plasma in 'de Mortu Cordis' magazine. In 1770, William Henson, C. discovered fibrinogen; after that, a detailed study of plasma became possible.

When blood mixed with an anticoagulant is centrifuged in a centrifuge machine at a speed of 3000 rpm for 30 minutes, cells settle down, and supernatant fluid is obtained. A buffy coat is present between them. At the bottom, denser red blood cells settle down, giving a red hue. The buffy layer consists of WBCs and Platelets. The supernatant fluid is plasma. 

 Blood - (minus) blood cells =plasma.

In plasma, clotting factors are present.

Plasma- (minus)  some clotting factors =serum. The clotting factors removed from plasma are fibrinogen, prothrombin, labile factors, Proaccelerin, and antihemophilic (AHF). Other clotting factors transfusion substances are present in serum.

 Plasma is used to diagnose and treat certain diseases.

In 1940, Dr. J.A. Grifols of Spain developed a technique to separate plasma from blood, which is still in use.

In plasmapheresis, the donor's blood cells are returned to the donor's body after plasma separation.

Uses of plasma:

According to WHO, fresh frozen plasma is on the List of Essential Medicines (ELD). It is essential in treating blood loss due to any cause, such as trauma or surgery, and vital in treating many serious diseases.

Plasma transfusion became a substitute for blood transfusion in March 1918. Fresh frozen plasma or 'plasma frozen within 24 hours of the collection is transfused instead of whole blood. The AB blood group plasma contains neither anti-A nor anti-B antibodies that can agglutinate recipient antigens. Hence, plasma from the AB-negative blood group is the universal donor. Remember that for blood transfusion, the blood of the 'AB -negative' blood group is the 'universal recipient,' and the 'O -negative' blood group is the 'universal donor.'

Dried plasmas 'in powder form or strips of material format were used in the Second World War.

Plasma therapy:  Plasma collected from a person who has recovered from a viral or any infection develops antibodies to the causative pathogens. In convalescent plasma therapy, plasma is transfused to a patient to help him recover. This therapy is convalescent plasma therapy. This transfusion provides antibodies to the sufferer with weak immunity.

Convalescent plasma therapy was considered beneficial, but studies proved it is not an effective treatment method for COVID-19; therefore, it is not recommended.

Simulated body fluid(SBF) has the same ion concentration as plasma and is used in metallic implants', gene delivery, and surface modification.

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Internal links:

https://blog.totalphysiology.com/2021/01/total-body-water-and-plasma.html

https://blog.totalphysiology.com/2021/01/anaemia.html

https://blog.totalphysiology.com/2020/12/erythrocytes-rbc.html

External links :

https://en.m.wikipedia.org

https://www.healthline.com

https://www.webmd.com

https://www.britannica.com

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