Vetinerary Assistant Practice Exam

What is plasma?

1. A type of red blood cell

2. An anticoagulant spun down and is clear

3. A clotting factor in blood

4. The solid component of blood

The correct answer is: An anticoagulant spun down and is clear

Plasma is the liquid component of blood that remains after red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets have been removed. It is primarily composed of water, proteins, electrolytes, nutrients, hormones, and waste products. This clear, straw-colored fluid serves various functions, including transporting nutrients and waste products, maintaining blood pressure and volume, and serving as a medium for biochemical reactions. When blood is centrifuged, the heavier cells settle at the bottom, allowing plasma to rise to the top and be separated. This characteristic is key to understanding why the option identifying plasma as an anticoagulant that is spun down to yield a clear fluid is correct. This procedure demonstrates the physical properties of plasma, allowing for its separation and study in a laboratory setting and making its identification straightforward. Considering the other options, identifying plasma as a type of red blood cell is incorrect since plasma contains no cells, and red blood cells are a distinct component. Describing plasma as a clotting factor misrepresents its function, as clotting factors are specialized proteins within plasma that contribute to the blood clotting process. Finally, the statement that plasma is the solid component of blood is inaccurate since the solid components consist of cells, while plasma is the liquid part.