What part of the blood is responsible for transporting nutrients and oxygen?

Plasma is the correct answer because it serves as the liquid component of blood that facilitates the transport of various substances throughout the body. Comprising about 55% of total blood volume, plasma is primarily made up of water, but it also contains proteins, hormones, nutrients, gases, and waste products. These elements are dissolved within the plasma, allowing them to move easily through the circulatory system.

While red blood cells are essential for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and for transporting carbon dioxide back to the lungs, they do so within the plasma but are not the medium that carries the nutrients directly. Platelets play a crucial role in blood clotting and preventing bleeding, and white blood cells are primarily responsible for the immune response and fighting infections. Thus, while all components of blood play vital roles, plasma is specifically tasked with the transportation of nutrients and oxygen.