What is the liquid part of blood known as?

Study for the Veterinary Medical Applications Certification Test. Prepare with interactive questions and detailed explanations. Enhance your understanding and get exam-ready!

The liquid part of blood is known as plasma. Plasma is a yellowish fluid that makes up about 55% of total blood volume and is primarily composed of water, electrolytes, proteins, hormones, and nutrients. It serves as a transport medium for cells, nutrients, waste products, antibodies, and other substances within the circulatory system.

Additionally, plasma contains vital proteins such as albumin, immunoglobulins, and clotting factors, which play crucial roles in maintaining blood pressure, immune responses, and the blood coagulation process.

In contrast, while serum is a component of the blood that resembles plasma but lacks clotting factors, it is derived from plasma after clotting has occurred. Sanguine is not a recognized term in hematology and typically refers to something related to blood but is not specifically defined in the context of blood components. Hemolymph is the fluid found in invertebrates that serves a similar purpose to blood but is distinct from mammalian blood and its components. Understanding this distinction highlights the importance of plasma as the correct answer in the context of mammalian blood composition.

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