Chapter 18.1, Problem 4AYLO

Summary Introduction

To discuss:

The composition of blood plasma.

Introduction:

Blood is considered as a fluid connective tissue and totals a volume between 4 and 6 liters in an average adult. Connective tissues are classically defined as being composed of cells and an extracellular matrix, and in the case of blood, plasma is the extracellular matrix component and constitutes the major component of blood (55%).On visual observation, plasma is observed to be a translucent pale yellowish fluid. Serum is the fluid left over after blood has been clotted; therefore, its contents are the same as that of plasma but without fibrinogen.