Which component of blood is responsible for transporting nutrients and waste products?

Which component of blood is responsible for transporting nutrients and waste products?

• A. Red blood cells
• B. White blood cells
• C. Plasma
• D. Platelets

Answer: (C)

The component of blood responsible for transporting nutrients and waste products is plasma. Plasma is the liquid portion of blood, comprising about 55% of its total volume. It serves as a carrier for various substances, including glucose, amino acids, hormones, and metabolic waste products like urea and carbon dioxide. In addition to transporting these essential nutrients to cells throughout the body, plasma also helps in maintaining blood pressure and volume, regulates body temperature, and plays a key role in immune responses by transporting antibodies and other proteins. Its complex composition of water, electrolytes, proteins, and other solutes facilitates the efficient exchange of materials between the blood and tissues, which is crucial for maintaining homeostasis. While red blood cells are primarily involved in carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and white blood cells function in immune defense, and platelets play a significant role in coagulation, none of these components serve the vital function of nutrient and waste transport as effectively as plasma does.

The component of blood responsible for transporting nutrients and waste products is plasma. Plasma is the liquid portion of blood, comprising about 55% of its total volume. It serves as a carrier for various substances, including glucose, amino acids, hormones, and metabolic waste products like urea and carbon dioxide.

In addition to transporting these essential nutrients to cells throughout the body, plasma also helps in maintaining blood pressure and volume, regulates body temperature, and plays a key role in immune responses by transporting antibodies and other proteins. Its complex composition of water, electrolytes, proteins, and other solutes facilitates the efficient exchange of materials between the blood and tissues, which is crucial for maintaining homeostasis.

While red blood cells are primarily involved in carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and white blood cells function in immune defense, and platelets play a significant role in coagulation, none of these components serve the vital function of nutrient and waste transport as effectively as plasma does.