Plasma is the liquid component of blood, making up roughly 55% of the total blood volume. It is a yellowish fluid that carries water, salts, enzymes, and other important substances throughout the body. Plasma has several key functions in the body, including:

• Transportation: Plasma helps to transport nutrients, electrolytes, hormones, and other important substances throughout the body. It also helps to remove waste products by transporting them to the liver, lungs, kidneys, or skin.

• Regulation: Plasma helps to maintain blood pressure and volume, and carries electrolytes such as sodium and potassium to our muscles. It also helps to maintain a proper pH balance in the body, which supports cell function.

• Defense: Plasma contains immunoglobulins and antibodies that play an important role in the body’s defense against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

• Clotting: Plasma contains coagulants, mainly fibrinogen, that aid in blood clotting.

Plasma is critical for the treatment of many serious health problems, such as burns, shock, trauma, and other medical emergencies. When people lose a lot of blood, often due to a traumatic accident or surgery, they also lose a lot of plasma. Given all the functions of plasma, this can have serious effects on someone’s health. This is why organizations collect plasma in addition to whole blood.