What it means
Plasma is about 55% of the blood and is mostly water. It holds proteins such as albumin and clotting factors, electrolytes, glucose, hormones and wastes. Fresh frozen plasma is given to replace clotting factors. Serum is plasma after the clotting factors have been used up.
At a glance
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Related terms
electrolyte
A mineral that carries an electric charge when dissolved in body fluids, such as sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride.
platelet
A tiny cell fragment in the blood that sticks together at a wound to help form a clot.
blood transfusion
Giving blood, or a part of blood, from a donor into a person's vein.
red blood cell
A blood cell that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues; also called an erythrocyte.