Plasma

Question 1

What is the function of plasma?

Answer 1

1. Bathes all cells in body and protects them from the external environment
2. Acts as a buffer to stabilize pH

Question 2

What are the plasma proteins?

Answer 2

1. Albumin
2. Globulin
   - Alpha Globulin
   - Beta Globulin
   - Gamma Globulin

Question 3

What are Albumin Plasma Proteins?

Answer 3

Most abundant plasma protein.
Produced by liver.
Aids in keeping fluid inside vascular system due to its large molecule size.
Important for binding and transporting “stuff”

Question 4

What are Alpha/beta/gamma globulin Plasma Proteins?

Answer 4

Alpha/beta – produced in liver
Fibrinogen – beta globulin: essential for blood clotting
Gamma – produced by plasma cells and lymphocytes when these cells are stimulated by an antigen

Question 5

What is Serum?

Answer 5

• Plasma minus fibrinogen and clotting factors
• Red top tube
• When left to sit, erythrocytes will form clot using up fibrinogen/clotting factors. What is left over is serum.