The formed elements of the blood (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) are collectively called:

The formed elements of the blood (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) are collectively called:

• A. Plasma
• B. Corpuscles
• C. Serum
• D. Matrix

Answer: (B)

Formed elements are the cellular components of blood—the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. They make up the solid portion of blood, while plasma is the liquid portion. The traditional term for these cellular components is corpuscles, which is why they are collectively called corpuscles. Plasma is the liquid part; serum is plasma after clotting factors are removed; matrix isn’t a standard term used for blood components. So corpuscles correctly names the formed elements.

Formed elements are the cellular components of blood—the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. They make up the solid portion of blood, while plasma is the liquid portion. The traditional term for these cellular components is corpuscles, which is why they are collectively called corpuscles. Plasma is the liquid part; serum is plasma after clotting factors are removed; matrix isn’t a standard term used for blood components. So corpuscles correctly names the formed elements.