1. What is blood plasma and its role in the body?
Plasma is the liquid component of blood, which includes the transportation of nutrients, hormones, and waste products, and it also plays a vital function in the process of blood clotting and immune responses.
2. How does the blood plasma help in the clotting of blood?
The major component of plasma is fibrinogen, a protein that converts into fibrin to clot the blood and thus prevents the body from haemorrhaging too much when it gets hurt.
3. What constitutes the major components of the blood plasma?
The main components of blood plasma are water, plasma proteins—albumins, globulins, and fibrinogen—electrolytes, nutrients, hormones, and waste products.
4. In what application/s is plasma used for treating medical conditions?
Plasma use is in therapies such as plasma transfusion for coagulation abnormalities and immunoglobulin therapy for immunodeficiencies.
5. What are the usual diseases associated with plasma?
The usual diseases are haemophilia, characterised by deficient clotting of the blood, and hypoalbuminemia, in which the concentration of albumin in the blood is below the normal levels of albumin.
6. How does plasma contribute to maintaining blood pressure?
Plasma helps maintain blood pressure through its protein content, particularly albumin. These proteins create oncotic pressure, which helps keep fluid within blood vessels and prevents excessive fluid loss into tissues.
7. How does plasma help regulate body temperature?
Plasma helps regulate body temperature by distributing heat throughout the body. As blood circulates, it carries heat from warmer areas to cooler ones, helping to maintain a consistent body temperature.
8. How does plasma osmolarity affect cell function?
Plasma osmolarity, which is the concentration of dissolved particles in plasma, affects the movement of water in and out of cells. Maintaining proper osmolarity is crucial for cell function and preventing cell shrinkage or swelling.
9. What is the role of albumin in plasma?
Albumin is the most abundant plasma protein. It helps maintain blood volume and pressure, transports various substances (like hormones and drugs), and contributes to the plasma's buffering capacity.
10. How does plasma composition change during dehydration?
During dehydration, plasma volume decreases while the concentration of dissolved substances increases. This can lead to increased blood viscosity and potential strain on the cardiovascular system.
11. How does plasma differ from serum?
Plasma is the liquid portion of blood that contains clotting factors, while serum is plasma without these clotting factors. Serum is obtained after blood has clotted and the clot has been removed.
12. What is plasmapheresis and why is it performed?
Plasmapheresis is a medical procedure where plasma is separated from blood and removed while the cellular components are returned to the body. It's used to treat certain autoimmune disorders, remove toxins, or collect plasma for donation.
13. What is the pH of normal blood plasma?
The pH of normal blood plasma is slightly alkaline, typically ranging between 7.35 and 7.45. This narrow range is crucial for proper functioning of cellular processes and must be tightly regulated.
14. What are plasma electrolytes and why are they important?
Plasma electrolytes are charged particles like sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate. They're important for maintaining fluid balance, nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and pH regulation.
15. How is plasma separated from whole blood?
Plasma is separated from whole blood through a process called centrifugation. The blood is spun at high speeds, causing the heavier cellular components to sink to the bottom while the lighter plasma remains on top.
16. What are the main components of plasma?
Plasma is composed of about 90% water and 10% dissolved substances. These include proteins (like albumin, globulins, and fibrinogen), electrolytes, hormones, nutrients, gases, and waste products.
17. What is plasma viscosity and how does it affect blood flow?
Plasma viscosity refers to the thickness or resistance to flow of plasma. Higher viscosity can increase the workload on the heart and affect blood flow, particularly in small blood vessels.
18. How do plasma lipoproteins function in the body?
Plasma lipoproteins are complexes of lipids and proteins that transport fat-soluble substances like cholesterol and triglycerides through the bloodstream. They're essential for lipid metabolism and distribution.
19. How does plasma protein concentration affect fluid balance between blood and tissues?
Plasma proteins create oncotic pressure, which helps retain fluid within blood vessels. If plasma protein concentration decreases, fluid may move out of blood vessels into tissues, potentially causing edema.
20. What is meant by "plasma colloid osmotic pressure"?
Plasma colloid osmotic pressure is the osmotic pressure exerted by plasma proteins. It's crucial for maintaining proper fluid balance between blood vessels and surrounding tissues.
21. Why is plasma sometimes called the "transport medium" of the blood?
Plasma is called the "transport medium" because it carries various substances throughout the body, including nutrients, waste products, hormones, and gases. It acts as a delivery system for these essential components.
22. What role does plasma play in the immune system?
Plasma contains antibodies, which are proteins produced by the immune system to fight infections. It also carries other immune system components like complement proteins, helping to defend the body against pathogens.
23. What is the significance of plasma proteins?
Plasma proteins serve various functions, including maintaining blood volume and pressure, transporting substances like lipids and hormones, and participating in immune responses. They also play a role in blood clotting.
24. How does plasma contribute to blood clotting?
Plasma contains clotting factors, including fibrinogen, which are essential for blood coagulation. When an injury occurs, these factors work together to form a clot and stop bleeding.
25. How do hormones in plasma affect the body?
Hormones in plasma act as chemical messengers, traveling from endocrine glands to target tissues throughout the body. They regulate various processes including metabolism, growth, and reproduction.
26. What is plasma and why is it important in blood?
Plasma is the liquid component of blood, making up about 55% of its volume. It's crucial because it carries blood cells, nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout the body. Plasma also helps maintain blood pressure and regulates body temperature.
27. What is plasma osmolality and how is it regulated?
Plasma osmolality is the concentration of osmotically active particles in plasma. It's tightly regulated by the kidneys and endocrine system to maintain proper fluid balance in the body.
28. What is the relationship between plasma and interstitial fluid?
Plasma and interstitial fluid are in constant exchange across capillary walls. This exchange is governed by hydrostatic and oncotic pressures, allowing for the delivery of nutrients to cells and removal of waste products.
29. What is the significance of plasma in oxygen transport?
While red blood cells carry most of the oxygen in blood, plasma also dissolves some oxygen. This dissolved oxygen can be particularly important in supplying oxygen to tissues in certain conditions.
30. How does plasma help in nutrient distribution throughout the body?
Plasma serves as a transport medium for nutrients absorbed from the digestive system. It carries glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, and vitamins to cells throughout the body for energy and cellular functions.
31. How does plasma help in waste removal from the body?
Plasma carries waste products from cellular metabolism, such as urea and creatinine, to the kidneys for filtration and excretion. This process is crucial for maintaining homeostasis in the body.
32. What is the role of plasma in maintaining acid-base balance?
Plasma contains buffer systems, particularly the bicarbonate buffer, which help maintain the body's acid-base balance by neutralizing excess acids or bases and keeping blood pH within a narrow range.
33. How does plasma composition change during inflammation?
During inflammation, plasma composition changes with increases in certain proteins called acute phase reactants. These include C-reactive protein and fibrinogen, which play roles in the inflammatory response.
34. How does plasma contribute to the body's defense against pathogens?
Plasma contains various components of the immune system, including antibodies, complement proteins, and cytokines. These work together to identify, neutralize, and eliminate pathogens.
35. What is the significance of plasma calcium levels?
Plasma calcium levels are crucial for various bodily functions, including muscle contraction, nerve signaling, and blood clotting. They are tightly regulated by hormones like parathyroid hormone and calcitonin.
36. What is meant by "plasma half-life" in relation to drugs or hormones?
Plasma half-life refers to the time it takes for half of a substance (like a drug or hormone) in plasma to be eliminated or metabolized. It's important in understanding how long a substance remains active in the body.
37. How does plasma contribute to thermoregulation?
Plasma plays a role in thermoregulation by distributing heat throughout the body. As blood circulates, it carries heat from the body's core to the periphery, helping to maintain a stable body temperature.
38. How does plasma protein concentration affect blood pressure?
Plasma proteins, particularly albumin, contribute to oncotic pressure which helps retain fluid within blood vessels. A decrease in plasma protein concentration can lead to fluid loss from the bloodstream and potentially lower blood pressure.
39. What is the role of plasma in carbon dioxide transport?
While most carbon dioxide is transported by red blood cells, plasma also plays a role. It carries dissolved carbon dioxide and bicarbonate ions, which are important in the body's pH buffering system.
40. How does plasma composition change during exercise?
During exercise, plasma volume can decrease due to fluid loss through sweating. There may also be changes in electrolyte concentrations and increases in certain hormones like epinephrine and cortisol.
41. What is the significance of plasma fibrinogen?
Fibrinogen is a plasma protein crucial for blood clotting. When activated, it forms fibrin, which creates a mesh-like structure that forms the basis of a blood clot.
42. How do plasma proteins contribute to blood viscosity?
Plasma proteins, particularly fibrinogen, increase blood viscosity. Higher concentrations of plasma proteins can make blood more viscous, potentially affecting blood flow, especially in small blood vessels.
43. What is the role of plasma in maintaining the body's water balance?
Plasma helps maintain water balance through its protein content and electrolyte composition. Changes in plasma osmolality trigger responses from the kidneys and endocrine system to regulate water retention or excretion.
44. How does plasma aid in the transport of fat-soluble vitamins?
Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) are transported in plasma bound to carrier proteins or incorporated into lipoproteins. This allows these hydrophobic vitamins to be distributed throughout the body.
45. What is the significance of plasma in drug distribution?
Plasma serves as a medium for drug distribution throughout the body. Many drugs bind to plasma proteins, which affects their distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
46. How does plasma contribute to the body's buffer systems?
Plasma contains several buffer systems, including the bicarbonate buffer, phosphate buffer, and protein buffer. These help maintain the body's pH within a narrow range by neutralizing excess acids or bases.
47. What is the role of plasma in hormone signaling?
Plasma acts as a transport medium for hormones, carrying them from endocrine glands to their target tissues throughout the body. This allows for long-distance communication and regulation of various bodily functions.
48. How does plasma osmolarity affect red blood cell shape?
Changes in plasma osmolarity can affect the shape of red blood cells. In hypotonic conditions, red blood cells may swell and potentially burst, while in hypertonic conditions, they may shrink and become crenated.
49. What is the significance of plasma in maintaining blood volume?
Plasma, particularly its protein content, helps maintain blood volume by exerting oncotic pressure. This pressure keeps fluid within blood vessels, preventing excessive fluid loss into surrounding tissues.
50. How does plasma contribute to the body's antioxidant defenses?
Plasma contains various antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, and proteins like albumin. These help protect cells from oxidative stress and damage caused by free radicals.
51. What is the role of plasma in maintaining the stability of blood pH?
Plasma contains buffer systems, particularly the bicarbonate buffer, which help maintain blood pH within a narrow range (7.35-7.45). This is crucial for proper functioning of enzymes and cellular processes.
52. How does plasma aid in the removal of toxins from the body?
Plasma carries toxins and metabolic waste products from tissues to organs of excretion, primarily the kidneys and liver. This process is essential for maintaining homeostasis and preventing toxin accumulation.
53. What is the significance of plasma in the complement system?
Plasma contains proteins of the complement system, which play a crucial role in the immune response. These proteins can enhance the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear pathogens and damaged cells.
54. How does plasma contribute to the regulation of body fluid osmolality?
Plasma osmolality is tightly regulated and serves as a key indicator for the body's overall fluid balance. Changes in plasma osmolality trigger responses from the kidneys and endocrine system to maintain proper hydration.
55. What is the role of plasma in the transport of respiratory gases?
While most oxygen is carried by hemoglobin in red blood cells, plasma dissolves some oxygen and a significant amount of carbon dioxide. It also carries bicarbonate ions, which are crucial for CO2 transport and pH regulation.
