Plasma is the liquid component of blood
– It is a clear, straw-colored liquid that makes up 55% of the blood
– It is thicker than water because it contains substances like albumin and electrolytes
• The formed elements are suspended in the plasma
– Nutrients are transported in plasma
– Metabolic wastes are transported in plasma

Blood is composed of plasma and formed elements (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets).

When a specimen of whole blood is placed in a centrifuge and spun quickly, the heavier parts (the formed elements) settle to the bottom,
and the clear, straw-colored plasma remains on the top.