Which maintains the balance of electrolyte concentration and protects the body from infections and other blood disorders

Plasma (55%) of total blood

White blood cells and platelets >2% of total blood

Red blood cells (45% of total blood)

• Approximately 12% of the blood plasma volume will cross into the extravascular space.

• Approximately 12% of the blood plasma volume will cross into the intravascular space.

Albumins are the most common plasma proteins and are responsible for maintaining the osmotic pressure of the blood.

Albumins are the least common plasma proteins, and are responsible for maintaining the osmotic pressure of the blood.

Without albumin, blood would have a consistency closer to that of water.

The second most common type is globulin, a protein in blood plasma.

• Fibrinogen proteins make up most of the remaining proteins in the blood. Fibrinogens are responsible for blood clotting to help prevent blood loss.

Plasma is normally yellow in color due to bilirubin, carotenoids, hemoglobin, and transferrin.

Plasma is normally green in color due to bilirubin, carotenoids, hemoglobin, and transferrin.

In abnormal cases, the plasma can contain varying shades of orange, green, or brown.

The green color can be due to ceruloplasmin or sulfhemoglobin.