Blood - Plasma

Blood is the fluid for sustaining life. One can never under value the importance of this substance that helps provide growth, health and the fighting of disease by transporting essential elements to provide antibodies, that are used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign bacteria and viruses.



About 55% of blood volume is made up of plasma which is a straw coloured clear liquid in which red and white blood cells and platelets are suspended. It is about 95% water and as the heart pumps blood cells all over the body, it is plasma that nourishes them and removes any waste products. The main protein in plasma is albumin which helps keep fluid from seeping out of blood vessels and into tissues. There are other proteins in plasma that include antibodies which form part of our immune system in the body's fight against viruses, bacteria and clotting factors to aide control of bleeding. Plasma is the first source that acts as a reservoir to replenish water if required as well as aborbing surplus water from tissues. Plasma also helps to maintain the blood pressure and circulation throughout the body and it is this that plays a crucial role in regulating the body temperature by transmitting heat generated in the core body tissues through to the areas that can lose heat easily for instance the arms and legs.