blood plasma: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Scientific, Medical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “blood plasma” mean?
The liquid component of blood in which blood cells are suspended, making up about 55% of total blood volume.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The liquid component of blood in which blood cells are suspended, making up about 55% of total blood volume.
1. The same fluid when separated from whole blood and used for medical transfusions or research. 2. A general metaphor for a foundational, life-sustaining, or nourishing medium in other contexts (e.g., plasma of society).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or semantic differences. Potential minor spelling variations in accompanying text (e.g., 'plasma centre' vs. 'plasma center').
Connotations
Identical medical/scientific connotations. The metaphorical use is rare and equally understood.
Frequency
Similar frequency in medical contexts. Slightly more common in public discourse in the US due to larger-scale plasma donation campaigns.
Grammar
How to Use “blood plasma” in a Sentence
donate/give blood plasmaseparate/extract blood plasma from whole bloodreceive a transfusion of blood plasmablood plasma contains/proteinsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blood plasma” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The blood-plasma donation centre is on High Street.
- It's a blood-plasma-derived therapy.
American English
- The blood plasma donation center is on Main Street.
- It's a blood plasma-derived therapy.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In the pharmaceutical and biotech industries (e.g., 'The company specialises in blood plasma products.')
Academic
In medical, biological, and physiological texts and research papers.
Everyday
In discussions about blood donation, medical treatments, or news about health crises.
Technical
Precise usage in clinical settings, laboratory protocols, and pharmacological manufacturing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blood plasma”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “blood plasma”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blood plasma”
- Using 'plasma' alone ambiguously (could mean blood plasma or ionised gas). Saying 'blood plasmas' (incorrect pluralisation). Confusing with 'serum' (plasma minus clotting factors).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, blood plasma is the liquid part of blood, making up about 55% of its volume. Whole blood also contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Yes, the process is called plasmapheresis, where blood is drawn, plasma is separated and collected, and the remaining blood components are returned to the donor.
It is a straw-coloured or pale yellow fluid.
Plasma is the liquid component of unclotted blood and contains clotting factors like fibrinogen. Serum is plasma from which the clotting factors have been removed (after blood has clotted).
The liquid component of blood in which blood cells are suspended, making up about 55% of total blood volume.
Blood plasma is usually scientific, medical, academic in register.
Blood plasma: in British English it is pronounced /ˈblʌd ˌplæz.mə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈblʌd ˌplæz.mə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The lifeblood of the system (metaphorical, not a direct idiom for 'blood plasma')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of BLOOD PLASMA as the clear PLASMA TV screen where the red and white blood CELLS are the actors moving across it.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FOUNDATIONAL FLUID / A NOURISHING SEA (for blood cells).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of blood plasma?