What components primarily make up plasma?

Plasma, the liquid component of blood, primarily consists of approximately 91% water, which serves as a solvent for various components. In addition to water, plasma contains essential proteins such as albumin, which helps maintain osmotic pressure and transports substances, and fibrinogen, which plays a critical role in blood clotting. These proteins are key to many physiological functions, including immune response, nutrient transport, and coagulation.

The water content facilitates the transport of electrolytes, hormones, nutrients, waste products, and gases throughout the body, making plasma a vital part of maintaining homeostasis and ensuring efficient blood circulation. The presence of these proteins, along with the water composition, underscores the importance of plasma in the overall functioning of the circulatory system.

Other components like red blood cells and platelets, although vital for carrying oxygen and facilitating blood clotting, do not constitute plasma itself; instead, they are found suspended within the plasma. Similarly, while carbon dioxide and oxygen are essential gases transported in the blood, they are not primary components of plasma in terms of its composition.