What are the main components of human plasma?

Prepare for the Technologist in Blood Banking (BB (ASCP)) Test with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has tips and explanations. Get thoroughly ready for your exam!

The main components of human plasma consist of water, electrolytes, proteins, hormones, and waste products, making this choice the most accurate. Plasma itself is the liquid portion of blood, which serves several critical functions in the body.

Water comprises about 90-92% of plasma, serving as a solvent and medium for transporting various substances. Electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, calcium, and bicarbonate, help maintain osmotic balance, pH, and overall homeostasis. Proteins such as albumin, globulins, and clotting factors are essential for functions ranging from immune response to blood coagulation. Hormones transported in plasma regulate various physiological processes, and waste products, including urea and creatinine, are carried to the kidneys for excretion, ensuring the removal of metabolic waste from the body.

While red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are indeed important components of whole blood, they are cellular elements, not components of plasma itself. Glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides are important substances found in plasma but represent only a portion of the many components; they are not the defining constituents of plasma. Vitamins, antibodies, and enzymes are also present in plasma but again are not as comprehensive or representative of

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