The liquid component of blood in which cells are suspended is known as:

The liquid component of blood in which cells are suspended is known as plasma. Plasma constitutes about 55% of total blood volume and serves as the medium that carries blood cells, nutrients, hormones, proteins, and waste products throughout the body. It is primarily composed of water, but also contains various solutes, including electrolytes, enzymes, and proteins such as albumin and fibrinogen.

In contrast, serum refers to the liquid that remains after coagulation and lacks clotting factors, meaning it does not contain substances like fibrinogen, which are crucial for blood clotting. Hemoglobin is a protein found within red blood cells that is responsible for oxygen transport, and platelets are cell fragments involved in the clotting process. Thus, plasma is the correct term for the liquid portion of blood that maintains the suspension of blood cells and facilitates numerous biological functions.