Difference Between Plasma And Platelets

What Is Plasma?

Plasma is the fluid portion of the blood and makes up approximately 55% of the total volume. This pale yellow fluid is the medium in which many substances are transported throughout the body.

Plasma Composition

• Water: Plasma is primarily composed of water, about 90-92%, that acts as the solvent for various solutes.

• Proteins: Plasma contains albumin, involved in the maintenance of osmotic pressure, globulins, involved in immune responses, and fibrinogen, which is necessary for blood clotting.

• Electrolytes: Plasma contains important electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and bicarbonate, the major factors in the maintenance of fluid balance and nerve conductance.

• Nutrients: Plasma carries nutrients, mainly glucose, amino acids, and lipids, to cells for energy and growth.

• Waste Products: Plasma carries metabolic waste products, for example, urea and creatinine, to the kidneys for excretion.

Functions Of Plasma

• Transport: Plasma serves as a medium of transport for nutrients, hormones, gases, and waste products, enabling their circulation across the body.

• Regulation: Plasma participates in the regulation of body temperature, pH levels, and osmotic pressure and thus contributes to the preservation of homeostasis.

• Immune function: Plasma proteins including antibodies are involved in the immune response to protect the host from infection.

What Are Platelets?

Platelets are small, disc-shaped fragments of cells that are involved in blood coagulation and hemostasis. They are important in preventing loss of blood when the vessels are injured.

Platelet Composition

• Cell Fragments: Platelets are fragments of cells, and not cells themselves. The megakaryocytes are gigantic cells that reside in the bone marrow.

• Granules: Platelets possess granules that pack different products of these cells, for example, clotting factors and growth factors, which are crucial for their functioning.

Functions Of Platelets

• Hemostasis: The most important function of platelets is to prevent haemorrhage by acting as a plug that forms at the site of injury in the vasculature.

• Blood Clotting: Chemicals released by platelets promote the cascade of coagulation, ultimately leading to a stable blood clot.

• Wound Healing: Growth factors released from platelets are responsible for tissue repair and regeneration following injury.

Key Differences Between Plasma And Platelets

Role Of Plasma And Platelets In Health

• Both plasma and platelets are integral parts of the maintenance of health.

• Nutrient and waste product transport by plasma helps cellular functioning, while platelets prevent excessive bleeding and facilitate clotting to start the healing process of wounds.

• Disorders of either component lead to serious health complications.