What is the primary function of plasma in the blood?

The primary function of plasma in the blood is to transport nutrients and waste. Plasma is the liquid component of blood, making up about 55% of its volume. It serves as a medium for carrying essential substances throughout the body. Nutrients absorbed from the digestive system, such as glucose, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, are dissolved in plasma and transported to various tissues and organs where they are needed for energy production, growth, and maintenance.

Additionally, plasma facilitates the removal of metabolic waste products, including carbon dioxide and urea. These wastes are carried away from the cells, reaching the organs such as the lungs and kidneys for excretion from the body. This dual role in distribution and removal highlights the central importance of plasma in maintaining homeostasis within the body.

While other options describe important functions in the bloodstream, such as carrying oxygen (which is primarily the role of red blood cells), regulating body temperature (influenced by the distribution of blood flow and heat), and forming blood clots (a function of platelets and clotting factors), they do not encompass the primary role of plasma as effectively as the transport of nutrients and waste does. This understanding emphasizes plasma's crucial role in overall physiological processes.