Whats the Bloody Difference (Between Blood Platelets and Plasma)?

Every human body contains blood, and there are various components that make up your blood. In addition to the elements that make up blood, your body has a unique blood type that is genetic and is passed down from your parents, just like your hair color and height are affected by genetics. 

Categorizing blood types relies on the body’s red blood cells, as they either do or don’t have unique markers that are called antigens. Everyone has blood, platelets, and plasma, regardless of blood type. What is the difference between blood, platelets, and plasma?

Whole Blood 

Whole blood contains platelets, red cells, and white cells that make up about 45% of the volume suspended in the plasma and the other 55% of the blood volume. When people donate blood, they are generally donating whole blood. 

Whole blood donation is the most flexible because it can be used for blood transfusions in its original form and can be separated into platelets, plasma, and red blood cells. There is minimal processing that needs to be done before it can be used for patient transfusions, and the blood can be refrigerated for up to 35 days. 

Platelets

Platelets are also called thrombocytes and are a part of the blood that is small and colorless. Their primary function is sticking to the blood vessel lining to prevent or help stop bleeding. They are made in the bone marrow and are disc-shaped cells found in the body and the spleen. Megakaryocytes are platelets that are very large cells found in the bone marrow. 

If you have too many, not enough, or platelets that aren’t working correctly, this can cause problems. A complete blood count test can discover the number of platelets in the blood and helps diagnose certain conditions and diseases. 

Plasma

Platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells are the most commonly remembered parts of the blood and plasma. Plasma plays an integral role in the blood, as this fluid carries the blood components through the body. The most significant part of the blood, it makes up more than half of the overall content. 

Plasma transports salts, enzymes, and water and is a light yellow liquid when separated from the rest of the blood. Plasma’s main job is to transport proteins, hormones, and nutrients to where the body needs them. The plasma helps to remove waste from the body as cells deposit their waste products into plasma. 

Blood Types

As mentioned, your blood type is passed down genetically from your parents, and there are a limited number of blood types. Depending on your parents’ blood types, there are only so many that can come from their combinations. There are two main groups of blood: Rh and ABO. The blood types that are ABO are the following:

• Type A: has an A marker
• Type B: has a B marker 
• Type AB: has A and B markers
• Type O: has no A or B markers

The most common blood types are O positive and A positive; the most rare are B negative, AB positive, and AB negative. Blood either contains or doesn’t contain a protein called the Rh factor. If it does have Rh factor, the blood is labeled positive; if it doesn’t, it is labeled negative.

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