Write a brief note on plasma

- Plasma is a straw coloured, viscous fluid which constitute 55 per cent of the blood.

- Water constitute 90-92 per cent of plasma and proteins contribute 6-8 per cent of it.

- The major proteins are fibrinogen, globulins and albumins.

- Fibrinogens helps in clotting or coagulation of blood, globulins helps in defense mechanisms of the body and the albumins help in osmotic balance.

- A small amounts of minerals like Na⁺, Ca⁺⁺, Mg^++, HCO^-₃, Cl^-, etc. Glucose,

amino acids, lipids, etc., are also present in the plasma as they are always in transit in the body.

- Clotting factor are also present in the plasma in an inactive form.