Plasma and serum are two fundamental substances found in blood, and while they are closely related, they serve different purposes in the context of medical analysis. Understanding the distinction between plasma and serum is crucial in clinical diagnostics. These components are separated from whole blood for laboratory tests.
Contents
Plasma vs. Serum: The Main Differences
- Plasma is the liquid component of blood with clotting factors; serum is similar but without those factors.
- Serum is used for various diagnostic tests because it does not contain clotting proteins.
Plasma vs. Serum: the Definition
Definition of Plasma
Blood plasma is the liquid portion of your blood. It’s a yellowish fluid that makes up about 55% of your blood’s total volume. Plasma primarily consists of water (~90%), but it also contains dissolved proteins, glucose, clotting factors, mineral ions, hormones, and carbon dioxide. These components are vital as they carry out the task of transporting substances throughout your body.
Definition of Serum
Serum refers to the fluid that’s left after the removal of blood cells and clotting proteins from plasma. It contains the same basic components as plasma excluding the clotting factors such as fibrinogen. Serum is used in various diagnostic tests as it provides important information about your body’s physiological and pathological state.
Plasma vs. Serum: Examples
Example Sentences Using “Plasma”
- The patient received a plasma transfusion to help manage their clotting disorder.
- Blood plasma contains important proteins that help in the clotting process and immune response.
- During the procedure, they separated the plasma from the rest of the blood components for testing.
- Plasma donation is critical for producing medicines for those with certain chronic illnesses.
- The plasma from recovered patients may contain antibodies that can help treat people with certain infectious diseases.
- A plasma exchange may be performed to remove harmful substances from a patient’s blood.
- Doctors measured the levels of certain drugs in the patient’s blood plasma to adjust the dosage accurately.
Example Sentences Using “Serum”
- The lab technician centrifuged the blood sample to separate the cells from the serum.
- Antibodies are typically found in the serum portion of the blood.
- For the test, we only need a small amount of serum, which can be extracted from a blood draw.
- The doctor ordered a serum electrolyte panel to check for any imbalances.
- Serum iron levels can indicate whether a person has anemia or iron overload.
- After the clotting factors have been removed, what remains is called blood serum.
- The medical researcher used serum from patients to study the response to the new vaccine.
Related Confused Words
Plasma vs. Blood
Plasma is the liquid component of blood, making up about 55% of its volume. It is a straw-colored fluid that contains water, electrolytes, proteins, hormones, and waste products. Plasma plays a crucial role in transporting nutrients, hormones, and proteins throughout the body, as well as in maintaining blood pressure and pH balance.
On the other hand, blood refers to the entire fluid connective tissue that circulates in the body. It consists of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. While plasma is the liquid portion, blood also contains cellular components that are responsible for oxygen transport, immune response, and blood clotting.
Serum vs. Moisturizer
Serum and moisturizer are both skincare products, but they serve different functions and have distinct formulations.
A serum is a lightweight product that contains a high concentration of active ingredients. Serums are designed to penetrate deeply into the skin to deliver targeted benefits such as anti-aging, brightening, or hydrating effects. They typically have a thin, liquid or gel-like consistency and are applied after cleansing but before moisturizing.
A moisturizer, on the other hand, is a thicker cream, lotion, or ointment that is primarily intended to hydrate the skin by forming a barrier on the skin’s surface. This helps to prevent water loss and protect the skin from environmental factors. Moisturizers may also contain some active ingredients, but their main purpose is to lock in moisture and maintain the skin’s natural barrier function.
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