Plasma can mean different things depending on the context, but in science and health it usually refers to two main areas:
1. Plasma in Physics (the 4th State of Matter)
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Beyond solid, liquid, and gas, plasma is considered the fourth state of matter.
- It’s a hot, ionized gas made up of free electrons and charged particles (ions).
- Examples: the Sun, lightning, neon signs, auroras.
- Because plasma conducts electricity and responds to magnetic fields, it’s often described as an electrified state of matter.
2. Plasma in Biology / Medicine
- In the human body, plasma is the liquid portion of blood.
- It makes up about 55% of your blood volume.
- Plasma is about 90-92% water, with proteins, electrolytes, hormones, glucose, clotting factors, and waste products dissolved in it.
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Functions:
- Transports nutrients, hormones, and proteins throughout the body.
- Carries waste products to the liver, kidneys, and lungs for removal.
- Helps maintain blood pressure and volume.
- Plays a role in immunity (antibodies are found in plasma).
In short:
- Physics plasma = an energized, electrical state of matter.
- Biological plasma = the watery fluid in blood that carries cells and nutrients.
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