Also known as Blood Plasma.
The watery, straw-coloured part of blood that contains nutrients, glucose, proteins, salts, minerals, enzymes and other substances. Plasma also contains blood clotting factors, and may be given to those who suffer from haemophilia or other blood-clotting problems, as well as to those who are haemorrhaging severely. As plasma has no red blood cells there is no danger of an antigen-antibody reaction when it is used in a transfusion; it can therefore be used as emergency substitute for blood before blood of the correct group has been obtained.
See also Blood Type.
