Have you been to a blood drive lately where you were asked to donate your blood plasma? The human plasma plays a crucial yet sometimes unrecognized job of carrying white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets throughout the body as the fluid in which they travel. These blood components are indeed essential to body function, but so is the plasma, which makes up about 55% of its contents along with water, salts, and enzymes.
Importance of Plasma
The human blood is a connective tissue that is made up of plasma and formed elements, which are is basically erythrocytes, leukocytes, and human platelets. The main role of human plasma is in the transportation of proteins, hormones, and nutrients to various parts of the body. It also helps in the removal of waste that is deposited by cells from the body, which is why plasma is a significant component in remedying various vital health problems.
In addition to carrying enzymes, amino acids, nitrogenous waste, nutrients, and gases, the human plasma also contain important components such as antibodies, the three major categories of plasma proteins, which are albumins, globulins, and fibrinogen. They are all the most abundant substances in play a cohesive role, including clotting, defense, transport, especially with patients suffering from burns, shock, trauma, as well as creating therapies for other rare medical conditions such as autoimmune disorders and hemophilia. The plasma proteins interact in specific ways to cause the blood to coagulate, and by so doing, it helps protect the body against the loss of blood and invasion by foreign microorganisms and viruses.
Functions Of Human Platelets
Human platelets, on the other hand, are tiny fragments of a large bone marrow cell called megakaryocytes. Even though they are not considered real cells because of how they look, they contain many edifices that are pivotal to halt bleeding. This is because of the presence of proteins on their surface that allows them to stick to each other and on to breaks in the blood vessel wall thus creating a temporary but firm plug to stop excessive bleeding. Human platelets also have the following functions;
- They exude procoagulants to promote blood clotting
- They produce growth factors to maintain the linings of blood vessels
- Dissolve blood clots when they are no longer needed
- They digest and destroy bacteria
- Human platelets also emit vasoconstrictors, which tighten blood vessels, causing vascular contractions in damaged blood vessels
Important Roles Of Platelets
Three of the most important roles that human platelets play are vascular spasms, platelet plug formation, and blood coagulation. Which is why some women will experience heavy menstrual bleeding or children will have frequent nose bleeds and bleeding in the mouth and gums due to a platelet disorder or other medical conditions known to cause an abnormal platelet function such as some forms of leukemia, chronic kidney disease, or heart bypass surgery.
Therefore, if you are a blood type AB, which is in demand for plasma donation, you might save a life unknowingly by donating your blood today.
Learn more about Innovative Research and our high quality research materials including human, plant, and animal biological, ELISA & Assay Kits, proteins, antibodies, cell cultures, blood, serum, plasma, and more. More information can be found at https://www.innov-research.com/ or by calling 248.896.0145.