noun
plasma
PLAZ-muh/ˈplæzmə/
The liquid part of blood in which blood cells are suspended.
The pale plasma sits above the separated blood cells.
Etymology
Greek plasma meant “something molded or created,” and English first used it for “form” or “shape.” Its later medical use names the liquid part of blood, distinguished from the blood cells.
In context
plasma is the only starting material required in many life-saving medicines and is the straw coloured liquid portion of blood
More examples
- Proteins circulate in the plasma.
- The laboratory measured the plasma volume.
- The treatment used donated plasma.
Forms
plasma · plasmas
Similar words
- serum
- The liquid remaining after blood clots, lacking some clotting components.