Serum vs Plasma- Definition and 17 Major Differences

Differences between Serum and Plasma

Differences between Serum and Plasma

Here are the major differences:

S.N. Characteristics Serum

Plasma

1. Definition The clear yellow fluid separated when blood is allowed to clot freely. Yellowish and slight alkaline fluid, in which blood cells float.
2. Clotting factors It is the watery fluid from blood without the clotting factors. It is the blood fluid that contains blood-clotting agents.
3. Composition The serum contains proteins, electrolytes, antibodies, antigens, and hormones. It contains all suspended blood cells with proteins, salts, lipids, glucose.
4. Water content The serum contains 90% water. Plasma contains 92-95% of water.
5. Components The serum contains proteins like albumin and globulins. Plasma contains clotting factors and water.
6. Fibrinogen Fibrinogen absent. Fibrinogen present.
7. Cell arrangement Cells are usually attached together by clot formation. Cells are not attached together and suspended in plasma.
8. Method of Separation Acquired from the process of spinning after clotting. Acquired from the process of spinning before clotting.
9. Use of Anti-coagulant Anticoagulant is not needed to separate the serum. Anticoagulant is required to obtain plasma.
10. Feasibility of Separation Separation of serum requires higher levels of expertise, expenses and is time-consuming. Separation of plasma is relatively easy and inexpensive
11. Volume in blood Less volume in comparison to plasma. Consists of 55% of the total volume of blood.
12. Density The density of serum is 1.024g/ml. The density of plasma is 1.025g/ml.
13. Storage The serum can be stored at 2-6 degrees centigrade for several days. Frozen plasma can be stored for up to a year.
14. Discoloration The serum does not discolor on standing. Plasma tends to discolor on standing.
15. Importance The serum is the primary source of electrolytes. The function of the plasma is the transport of excretory metabolites and materials in the blood. It also helps in the maintenance of blood pressure and in the regulation of body temperature.
16. Associated terms The branch of study that deals with studying serum and analyzing it for diagnostic purposes are called serology. Plasmapheresis refers to the process of isolation of plasma from the blood using centrifugation.
17. Uses Human serum is usually used for the purpose of diagnostic testing. Other animal seras are used as anti-venom, antitoxins, and vaccinations. They are also used in humans for therapeutic purposes. Plasma is delivered to the patients who lack blood cells. It is also Transferred to patients who suffer from hemophilia, shocks, burns, and other clotting problems.

References

  1. https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-plasma-and-vs-serum/
  2. https://www.bioexplorer.net/differences-between-serum-and-plasma.html/
  3. http://medimoon.com/2012/07/difference-between-plasma-and-serum/
  4. http://www.microbiologynotes.com/differences-between-serum-and-plasma/
  5. https://microbiologyinfo.com/difference-between-serum-and-plasma/

Differences between Serum and Plasma

About Author

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Sagar Aryal

Sagar Aryal is a microbiologist and a scientific blogger. He attended St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar, Kathmandu, Nepal, to complete his Master of Science in Microbiology. He worked as a Lecturer at St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar, Kathmandu, Nepal, from Feb 2015 to June 2019. After teaching microbiology for more than four years, he joined the Central Department of Microbiology, Tribhuvan University, to pursue his Ph.D. in collaboration with Helmholtz-Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Saarbrucken, Germany. He is interested in research on actinobacteria, myxobacteria, and natural products. He has published more than 15 research articles and book chapters in international journals and well-renowned publishers.

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