How does plasma donation differ from whole blood donation?

Plasma donation specifically targets the collection of plasma while leaving other blood components such as red blood cells and platelets behind. The process involves the use of a centrifuge during donation to separate plasma from the rest of the blood components. This allows for the efficient retrieval of plasma, which is vital for various medical treatments and therapies.

In contrast, whole blood donation collects all components of the blood in one mixture, meaning that the donor's entire blood content is taken in a single donation session. This difference in focus is significant for understanding how each type of donation serves different medical needs, with plasma donation providing specific components that can be used for therapies involving clotting factors, immunoglobulins, and more.