Plasma is approximately 91% water; the other portion is made up of various materials (see chart below). The portion of the blood that is not plasma consists of formed elements, which includes erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells), and cell fragments called platelets. Note: Serum = blood plasma without fibrinogen (after coagulation) BLOOD Albumins PLASMA 55% 8% of (WEIGHT) Globulins body VOLUME 38% weight We Proteins Fibrinogen Plasma ™% ™% 4to6liters |_»| 55% Water Temp = Formed 1% Metabolic end products 38°C Elements Food materials 45% Other Solutes Respiratory gases pH of 7.35 2.0% Hormones, etc. To 7.45 Tons *** Although platelets are often classified as blood cells, platelets are actually fragment: of large bone marrow cells called megakaryocytes. Platelets are minute, irregularly shaped, disc-like cytoplasmic bodies found in blood plasma that promote blood clotting and have no definite nucleus, no DNA, and no hemoglobin, Normal blood contains 250,600 to 400,000 platelets per cubic mm. Their life span is 7-10 days; they are removed in the spleen and the liver. Note: Thrombopoietin (« glycoprotein hormone) is synthesized and secreted by the liver. Thrombopoietir stimulates precursor cells in the bone marrow to differentiate into megakaryocytes. Megakaryocytes give rise to platelets. Remember: Platelets stop blood loss by forming a platelet plug. They contain many secretory vesicles (granules), which contain chemicals that promote clotting. Wher platelets adhere to collagen, they release ADP and other chemicals from their secretory vesicles. Many of these chemicals, including ADP, induce changes in the platelet surface that cause the surface to become ‘sticky.’ As a result, additional platelets adhere to the original platelets and form a ‘plug.’ Important: Thromboxane A> (TXA), produced by activated platelets, has prothrom. botic properties, stimulating activation of new platelets as well as increasing platele' etertve: eaticere