Final answer:
Approximately 55% of the blood volume is blood plasma, which contains mostly water and dissolved substances. Red blood cells make up about 45% of the blood volume, but this can vary from 36-50% based on factors such as gender. To get the plasma percentage, subtract the hematocrit value from 100%.
Step-by-step explanation:
Percentage of Blood Components
The blood is made up of several components, including blood plasma and red blood cells (RBCs), clinically known as erythrocytes. The percentage of blood volume that is blood plasma is approximately 55%, depending on various factors. Plasma is the liquid part of the blood and is about 92 percent water. It contains many dissolved substances, including proteins, glucose, and hormones. The packed cell volume (PCV), or hematocrit, represents the percentage of RBCs, which accounts for about 45% of the blood volume in a standard sample. However, the hematocrit values can vary from about 36-50%, influenced by gender and other factors. For example, average hematocrit values for females range from 37 to 47, and for males, they range from 42 to 52. To calculate the percentage of plasma in the blood, one must subtract the hematocrit percentage from 100%. For females with a mean hematocrit value of 41, the plasma percentage would be approximately 59% (100 - 41), and for males with a mean hematocrit value of 47, the plasma percentage would be approximately 53% (100 - 47).