Plasma

Plasmas are materials whose atoms have lost electrons and become a mixture of ions and electrons. The Sun is made up of plasma created by hot temperatures. Lightning and fluorescent lights are earthly forms of this “thermal” plasma. Wires contain plasma created by the interactions of metal atoms. Because plasmas are dominated by charged particles, they interact strongly with electric and magnetic fields. Plasma is often considered the fourth state of matter (along with solid, liquid, and gas) as most of the matter in the universe is a plasma.

One of the four states of matter. (The other three are solid, liquid and gas.) Plasma is very hot gas that conducts electricity and responds to electric and magnetic forces. The Sun is made almost entirely of plasma. This form of matter is rare on Earth (it's in candle flames, neon signs, fluorescent lights) but incredibly common in outer space — 99% of what we can see in the universe is plasma. Plasma consists of a gas of positively charged and negatively charged particles with approximately equal concentrations of both so that the total gas is approximately charge neutral.

(PLAZ-muh) The clear, yellowish, fluid part of the blood that carries the blood cells. The proteins that form blood clots are in plasma.

A state of matter composed of charged particles, like ions and electrons, and possibly some neutral particles.

The fluid portion of the blood in which is suspended the white and red blood cells. Contains 8-9% solids, of which 85% is composed of the proteins fibrinogen, albumin, and globulin. The essential function of plasma is the maintenance of blood pressure and the transport of nutrients and waste.

Any ionized gas; that is, any gas containing ions and electrons.