So here we have an example problem that asks, the fluid matrix of blood helps it perform what function? And we've got these 4 potential answer options down below. Now recall from our last lesson video that blood is a liquid connective tissue, where its extracellular matrix is a liquid that's called plasma. And plasma is made mostly of water with a bunch of substances dissolved in it such as salts and small proteins, hormones, and nutrients such as glucose, for example. And so, being a liquid connective tissue, that's actually going to allow for it to flow better through the cavities such as arteries and veins.
And the heart is going to serve as the pump that pumps that liquid connective tissue through those arteries and veins. And so, being a fluid matrix is going to aid in transporting gases and nutrients. And so, recall that red blood cells or erythrocytes are going to be important for transporting oxygen gas and carbon dioxide gas as well. And again, that plasma can have dissolved nutrients such as glucose and so being that fluid is going to aid in transportation. So, the correct answer here to this example is answer option a.
So, we can indicate here is correct. Now, notice option b says that the fluid matrix is primarily responsible for providing immunity by washing away microbes. But recall from our last lesson video, we said that the leukocytes, or the white blood cells, are going to be the cells primarily responsible for providing immunity. And so, the fluid matrix being a fluid matrix itself is not going to allow for immunity. And also, it's not going to be washing away microbes either.
And so, for those reasons, we could have eliminated option b. Now, option c says, the fluid matrix aids in storing energy. Now, this is also not going to be the case for blood. So, we can eliminate answer option c. And then option d says that the fluid matrix aids in insulating the body.
But really, this is not the primary function of blood, and insulation is more so going to be the function of adipose tissue, which is a type of loose connective tissue. But again, not the primary function of the fluid matrix of blood. So, option A here is the correct answer to this example, and that concludes this example. So, I'll see you all in our next video.