Serum and Plasma: Introduction, Differences, Keynotes, and Related Footages
Table of Contents
The serum is a clear yellow fluid that is separated when blood is allowed to clot freely while the plasma is yellowish and slight alkaline fluid, in which blood cells float.
| S. No | Characteristics | Serum | Plasma |
| 1 | Clotting factors | Absent | Present |
| 2 | Composition | It contains proteins, electrolytes, antibodies, antigens, and hormones. | It contains all suspended blood cells with proteins, salts, lipids, glucose. |
| 3 | Water content | 90% | 92-95% |
| 4 | Components | The serum contains proteins like albumin and globulins. | Plasma contains clotting factors and water. |
| 5 | Fibrinogen | Absent | Present |
| 6 | Cell arrangement | The blood cells are usually attached together by clot formation. | Cells are not attached together and they are suspended in the plasma. |
| 7 | Separation Method | Centrifugation after clotting | Centrifugation before clotting |
| 8 | Anti-coagulant | Not required | An anticoagulant is required to obtain plasma. |
| 9 | Feasibility of Separation | Separation of serum is time-consuming. | The separation of plasma is relatively easy and fast. |
| 10 | Volume in blood | Comparatively less | 55% of the total volume of blood |
| 11 | Density | 1.024g/ml | 1.025g/ml |
| 12 | Storage | The serum can be stored at 2-8 °C for several days. | Frozen plasma can be stored for up to a year at -80 °C. |
| 13 | Discoloration | No discoloration on standing | Discoloration on standing |
| 14 | Importance | The serum is the primary source of electrolytes. | The plasma helps in the transportation of excretory metabolites and materials in the blood and also in the maintenance of blood pressure and in the regulation of body temperature. |
| 15 | Associated terms | Serology: It is the branch of science that deals with the study of serum and analyzing it for diagnostic uses. | Plasmapheresis: It refers to the process of separation of plasma from the blood. |
| 16 | Uses | -Clinical diagnostic testing -Animal sera are used as anti-venom, antitoxins, and vaccinations. -It is also used in humans for therapeutic purposes. | Plasma (fresh frozen plasma) is transfused to patients who has coagulation factor defect and warfarin overload. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is used if platelet concentrate is not available. The transfusion of plasma is used in patients who suffer from hemophilia, shocks, burns, and other clotting problems. |
| 17 | Use of different anticoagulants | No use | 1. EDTA-for complete blood cell count (CBC) 2. Fluoride oxalate-Useful in sugar estimation 3. Trisodium citrate: For coagulation study (PT/INR, APTT), ESR test 4. Heparin-Osmotic fragility test, open-heart surgery 5. CPDA-Blood bag ( blood banking) |
| Anticoagulants | Storage time/Shelf-life |
| Acid-citrate dextrose (ACD) | 21 Days |
| Citrate-phosphate dextrose (CPD) | 28 Days |
| Citrate -phosphate dextrose adenine (CPDA) | 35 DAYS |
| Saline, Adenine, Glucose, and Mannitol (SAGM) solution | 42 Days |
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