What is Blood Plasma? Plasma is the liquid component of Blood, in which the Blood cells are suspended. Serum is the same as Blood plasma except that clotting factors have been removed. Plasma is translucent with a faint straw color, similar to the color of this web page. It is mainly composed of water, Blood proteins, and inorganic electrolytes. Plasma serves as a transport medium for glucose, Blood borne lipids, hormones, metabolic end products, carbon dioxide and oxygen. Plasma is the storage and transport medium of clotting factors and the protein content that is necessary to maintain the pressure of the Blood circulatory system.

Not all plasma is the same. Plasma can differ in the kinds of antibodies that it contains. If a seller has specific antibodies in their Blood plasma in sufficient quantities, that person may be considered a 'special plasma seller'. People may also have a rare or in some cases even a unique Blood type that would set them apart as a 'special plasma seller.' While all plasma and Blood sales and donations are life-giving and precious, many plasma centers collect plasma from these special kinds of donors. These plasma sellers are often paid a premium for donating.