Blood and Its Component

Blood and Its Component

Plasma

Is the fluid component of blood.

Composition of Plasma

• 90% water and crystalloids, e.g. mineral salts such as sodium, chlorine and potassium.
• 10% solutes: colloids, e.g. proteins, such as albumin, globulin.
• Plasma constitutes: Nutrients: carbohydrates, amino acids; Metabolic wastes: urea, uric acid, creatinine, lactic acid; Respiratory gases: oxygen, carbon dioxide; Regulator mechanisms: hormones, enzymes, mineral salts; Protection substances: antibodies.
• Blood volume: The total volume of blood present in the vascular system. Total blood volume is approximately 70ml/kg in adults, 80ml/kg in children and 90ml/kg in neonates. 70% of the total blood volume is contained within the venous system, 15% in the arterial system, 10% within the heart and 5% capillary.