Which of the following statements is true about blood plasma?

• A. It consists primarily of platelets and is the main site of blood clot formation.
• B. It is composed mostly of collagen fibers and forms the structural framework of blood.
• C. It is the formed element responsible for transporting oxygen via hemoglobin.
• D. It is the liquid portion of blood and is composed mostly of water with dissolved proteins, electrolytes, nutrients, gases, and wastes.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand what blood plasma is by recalling that blood is composed of formed elements (cells and cell fragments) and plasma, the liquid portion.
2. Step 2: Recognize that platelets are formed elements involved in clotting, not components of plasma itself, so plasma does not primarily consist of platelets.
3. Step 3: Know that collagen fibers are structural proteins found in connective tissues, not in blood plasma, so plasma is not composed mostly of collagen fibers.
4. Step 4: Remember that red blood cells (erythrocytes) are the formed elements responsible for oxygen transport via hemoglobin, not plasma.
5. Step 5: Conclude that plasma is the liquid portion of blood, mainly water, containing dissolved proteins, electrolytes, nutrients, gases, and wastes, making the last statement true.