In medical terminology, "plasma" is associated with what component of blood?

"Plasma" is the term used to refer to the fluid component of blood. It is a yellowish liquid that makes up about 55% of total blood volume and serves several important functions. Plasma contains water, electrolytes, proteins (such as albumin, antibodies, and clotting factors), hormones, nutrients, and waste products. This fluid is crucial for transporting these components throughout the body, providing a medium for cells and other substances to move freely.

Understanding plasma as the fluid part of blood helps clarify its role in maintaining various bodily functions, such as regulating blood pressure, volume, and pH levels, as well as transporting nutrients and waste materials. The other choices, while related to blood, refer to different components: cells encompass red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, platelets are specifically involved in blood clotting, and plaques refer to deposits that can accumulate in blood vessels but do not relate to the liquid aspect of blood.