Question

The colour of Plasma is (a) Straw colour (b) Red colour (c) Colourless (d) Blue colour

Short answer

The color of plasma is straw colour.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Question

Plasma is a part of the blood, which is important to understand in order to answer this question. It is known that plasma is primarily responsible for blood's liquid consistency.

Determining Plasma's Characteristics

Research shows that plasma, when separated from the rest of the blood components, appears to be a light, straw-coloured or yellow-coloured liquid.

Match to the Given Options

Comparing the researched information with given options, we can determine that option (a) Straw colour correctly identifies the color of plasma.

Key concepts

Blood Plasma

Blood plasma is the often overlooked, but remarkably vital component of our blood. Imagine it as the liquid canvas on which all other blood elements such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets paint their functions. Constituting approximately 55% of our blood's volume, plasma is primarily composed of water — accounting for about 90% of its content. The remaining 10% is a mix of dissolved proteins, glucose, clotting factors, electrolytes, hormones, carbon dioxide, and oxygen.

Its straw-colored appearance, as addressed in the solution to the textbook exercise, is a visual indicator of plasma's purity and rich composition. Notably, this distinct color is due to the presence of plasma proteins and other substances suspended in it. Albumin, the most abundant of these proteins, plays a crucial role in maintaining oncotic pressure and fluid balance within the body. The immunoglobulins — or antibodies — contained in plasma form our defensive line against infections. Furthermore, plasma serves as a delivery system that transports nutrients and removes waste from cells, highlighting its vital role in our body's homeostasis.

Biological Liquid

In biology, the term 'biological liquid' refers to any fluid that is vital to life processes in organisms. These fluids come in a vast array of forms, from the sap in plants to the intracellular and extracellular liquids in animals. Blood plasma, as covered in the exercise, is a prime example of such a biological liquid, essential in the transportation and exchange of materials throughout the body.

Biological liquids are characterized not just by their physical states or color, but more importantly, by their functions. They serve as media for chemical reactions, provide lubrication, facilitate transport of substances, and often have regulatory roles. Because of the variety of substances they can carry — hormones, nutrients, and proteins, biological liquids also have diagnostic value. For instance, the analysis of blood plasma can reveal the state of a patient's health, offering insights into possible nutritional deficiencies, infections, and other conditions.

NEET Biology

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is an entrance examination in India for students who aim to pursue undergraduate medical courses. NEET Biology is one segment of this test, comprising questions that assess a candidate's knowledge on various biological topics, including human physiology, genetics, evolution, ecology, and more.

Understanding the nuances of blood plasma is fundamental in NEET Biology, which emphasizes the integrative nature of biological systems. Students preparing for NEET must delve deeper than memorizing facts; they should comprehend the significance of each biological component. The color of blood plasma, for one, illustrates the intricate balance of substances within our bodies, a type of information that might arise in NEET questionnaires. These seemingly small details cumulatively build a student's competency in Biology, which is critical not only for excelling in NEET but also for future medical professionals who will diagnose and treat patients.