the fluid portion of the blood. Plasma contains the formed elements of the blood—erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes. It is a colloidal solution of inorganic compounds and such organic compounds as proteins; it also contains more than 20 vitamins and 20 trace elements, including iron, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, and cobalt. Plasma analysis is of great use in diagnosing various diseases. For example, the diagnostician looks for abnormal proteins, such as the C-reactive protein in rheumatism. Various diseases can be detected by an increase in the content of normal blood constituents; for example, hyperglycemia, which is the abnormally high content of sugar in the plasma, is symptomatic of diabetes mellitus. Increase in the titers of certain antibodies can also serve as a diagnostic clue in certain diseases. The medicinal substances albumin, dried blood plasma, fibrinogen, and gamma globulin are prepared from blood plasma.
REFERENCE
Tumanov, A.K. Syvorotochnye sistemy krovi. Moscow, 1968.Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.
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