What is the difference between serum and plasma?
Serum and plasma are both parts of the blood. Thus, blood serum and plasma are used frequently, while performing blood tests or any other blood works. In fact, the ability of blood to perform major bodily functions is attributed to plasma, blood cells, proteins, hormones, glucose and other components of the blood. And the branch of medical science that deals with blood serum is called serology. Following are some points related to the difference between serum and plasma: Actual Definition Serum is nothing but plasma, after excluding fibrinogen and other blood clotting factors. Fibrinogen is a type of protein, responsible for coagulation of blood, by converting itself into fibrin. Whereas plasma is defined as the medium of blood, to which blood cells (red blood cells and white blood cells) and other components are suspended. Know more on what causes blood clots. Components Serum is made up of non-clotting proteins, glucose, nutrients, electrolytes, hormones, antigens, antibodies and oth
