Composition of plasma

When it comes to the normal functioning of the human body, it is of course inseparable from the cooperation of some organs and substances. We know very little or limited about these organs and substances, such as: brain, limbs, eyes, ears, nose, etc., and substances include: blood, water, cells, etc. It is because of the harmonious cooperation between these organs and substances that our body can maintain a healthy state.

When it comes to substances in the human body, blood is one of the most important. Once a person leaves the blood, he will not be able to survive, or if the blood content in the human body is too little, the person will not be able to survive. There are many substances that make up blood, and plasma is one of them. Let’s talk about the composition of our human plasma.

The main function of plasma is to carry blood cells, transport substances needed to maintain human life activities and waste produced in the body, etc. Plasma is equivalent to the intercellular matrix of connective tissue. Plasma is an important component of blood and is a light yellow liquid (because it contains bilirubin). Among the chemical components of plasma, water accounts for 90~92%, and the other 10% is mainly solute plasma protein. It also contains electrolytes, nutrients, enzymes, hormones, cholesterol and other important components. Plasma protein is a general term for a variety of proteins, which can be divided into three categories: albumin, globulin and fibrinogen by the salting-out method.

The main components of plasma are as follows:

1. Water

Water accounts for about 90% to 92% of plasma. Nutrients and metabolic products in plasma are transported by dissolving in water. Water can also transport heat and participate in body temperature regulation.

2. Plasma Protein

Plasma protein is the general term for various proteins in plasma. Mainly includes albumin, globulin and fibrinogen.

Protein name Specimen type Normal content (g/L) Main physiological function

Albumin (A) Serum 35 ~ 55 Forms plasma osmotic pressure, participates in maintaining body water balance; repairs tissues; facilitates the transport of various positive and negative ions and certain fatty acids

Globulin (G) Serum 20 ~ 30 Immune function; Facilitates the transport of lipid substances; Necessary for the transport of certain hormones and fat-soluble vitamins

Fibrinogen plasma 2 to 4 Participates in blood coagulation

Total protein serum 60 ～ 78

The ratio of plasma albumin to globulin (A/G) is 1.5 to 2.5. Certain diseases can change the albumin or globulin content, which can cause the A/G ratio to decrease, even to less than 1.

(III) Inorganic salts

Inorganic salts in plasma account for about 0.9% of the total plasma volume and exist mainly in ionic state. Positive

The main component is Na+, and there are also K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, etc.

(IV) Non-protein nitrogen compounds and other components

Nitrogen-containing compounds in plasma other than proteins are collectively called non-protein nitrogen-containing compounds. Including urea, uric acid, creatine, creatinine, amino acids, ammonia and bilirubin, the nitrogen contained in these substances is called non-protein nitrogen (NPN). The NPN content in normal human blood is 14-25mmol/L (20-35mg/dl), of which 1/3-1/2 is urea nitrogen. NPN in the blood is a metabolic product of protein and nucleic acid and is mainly excreted from the body through the kidneys. Therefore, measuring the NPN or urea nitrogen content in the blood helps to understand the protein metabolism status and kidney function in the body. The nitrogen-free organic matter in plasma is mainly glucose, as well as various lipids (such as triglycerides, cholesterol, phospholipids) as well as ketone bodies, lactic acid, etc. In addition, there are enzymes, hormones, vitamins, oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Through the knowledge and understanding of the main components of plasma, I believe everyone should have some ideas in mind. That's indeed the case. We cannot live without the organs and substances mentioned above, as well as all the organs and substances in the human body. If you leave any of them, it may cause certain diseases at the very least, or even your life at the worst. Therefore, we humans must take good care of our bodies and always put health first.