~Plasma~, made of about 92% water, is the ~blood~'s solvent. It is the liquid part of the ~blood~, or ~blood~ minus cells, containing |proteins|, |minerals|, and salts. Its main components are the three |proteins|: albumin, globulins, and fibrinogen, all of which are manufactured by the |liver|. These three |proteins| circulate in ~plasma~ and act as carriers for small molecules. Salts, |minerals|, sugars, |fats|, and |proteins|, all important nutrients, are transported through ~plasma~. All of the chemicals needed by cells to stay alive are brought to them by the ~blood~. At the same time, bicarbonates in the ~plasma~ act as a filter to remove poisonous waste to the |kidneys|. Albumin, the most plentiful, is similar to egg whites and gives ~blood~ its gummy texture. The globulins, three in number: alpha, beta, and gamma, transport certain |proteins|. They number half the albumin |proteins| found in ~plasma~. Gamma globulins are the antibodies of the ~blood~, giving immunity to disease. Only 3% of ~plasma~ is made up of fibrinogen. It is an important link in the chain of reactions that leads to ~blood~ clotting. It forms a web of fine |protein| |fibers| that bind |blood cells| together, creating a bridge over which injured tissue can rebuild itself while ~blood~ continues to flow underneath.
