blood plasma

noun

: the pale yellow fluid of whole blood that consists of water and its dissolved constituents including especially proteins (such as albumin, fibrinogen, and globulins)

Examples of blood plasma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Analyzing levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in their blood plasma, the scientists found that higher levels of these nutrients were associated with a lower risk of developing cancer. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024

One 2014 paper revealed that women lose more blood plasma than men in space, while another 2023 study found that women lose muscle at a faster rate. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2024

In Crazy Moms of Cheer, a Facebook group that today has more than 46,000 members, hundreds of mothers began posting about selling blood plasma. —Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 23 Oct. 2024

In the case of blood plasma, which is more time-consuming and physically draining to donate than whole blood, monetary incentives have proven dramatically and obviously more effective than altruistic ones. —Dylan Matthews, Vox, 18 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

blood plasma

noun

: the fluid portion of whole blood

Medical Definition

blood plasma

noun

: the pale yellow fluid portion of whole blood that consists of water and its dissolved constituents including proteins (as albumin, fibrinogen, and globulins), electrolytes (as sodium and chloride), sugars (as glucose), lipids (as cholesterol and triglycerides), metabolic waste products (as urea), amino acids, hormones, and vitamins compare serum entry 1 sense a(1)