Constituents of Blood Plasma

Question 1

Water

Answer 1

90% of plasma volume; dissolving and suspending medium for solutes of blood; absorbs heat

Question 2

Electrolytes

Answer 2

Most abundant solutes by number; cations include Na, K, Ca, Mg, anions include Cl, PO4, SO4, and HCO3; help maintain plasma osmotic pressure and normal blood pH

Question 3

Plasma proteins

Answer 3

8% (by weight) of plasma; all contribute to osmotic pressure and maintain water balance in blood and tissues; all have other functions (transport, enzymatic etc.) as well

Question 4

Albumin (plasma proteins)

Answer 4

60% of plasma proteins; produced by liver; main contributor to osmotic pressure

Question 5

Globulins (plasma proteins)

Answer 5

36% of plasma proteins

Question 6

alpha, beta (Globulins)

Answer 6

Produced by liver; most are transport proteins that bind to lipids, metal ions, and fat-soluble vitamins

Question 7

gamma (Globulins)

Answer 7

Antibodies released by plasma cells during immune response

Question 8

Fibrinogen

Answer 8

4% of plasma proteins; produced by liver; forms fibrin threads of blood clot

Question 9

Nonprotein nitrogenous substances

Answer 9

By-products of cellular metabolism, such as urea, uric acid, creatinine, and ammonium salts

Question 10

Nutrients (organic)

Answer 10

Materials absorbed from digestive tract and transported for use throughout body; include glucose and other simple carbohydrates, amino acids (protein digestion products), fatty acids, glycerol and triglycerides (fat digestion products), cholesterol, and vitamins

Question 11

Respiratory gases

Answer 11

Oxygen and carbon dioxide; oxygen mostly bound to hemoglobin inside RBCs, CO2 transported dissolved as HCO3 ion or CO2, or bound to hemoglobin in RBCs

Question 12

Hormones

Answer 12

Steroid and thyroid hormones carried by plasma proteins