The needed blood component, such as platelets, is then made available to the patient. Each component has a special use.
Platelets are the agents in the blood that cause clotting.
Plasma is the watery, colorless fluid in the blood which carry red cells, white cells, platelets, and the many other parts of the blood through the bloodstream. It also carries foods and wastes from the tissues. It has no cells. Each unit of whole blood contains only two tablespoons of platelet concentrate. Six to ten regular whole blood donations would be required to supply enough platelets for one transfusion.