Difference Between Plasma And Serum

 

Difference between Plasma and Serum


Serum and plasma are obtained from the liquid portion of the blood that is obtained when the cells are removed. However, there is striking difference between plasma and serum. Serum is the liquid that remains after the clotting of blood. Whereas, plasma is the liquid that remains when anticoagulant is added to prevent clotting.

Following are the important difference between plasma and serum:

PlasmaSerum
A transparent, straw-coloured, liquid portion of the blood.An undiluted fluid, the extracellular portion of blood.
It is composed of serum and clotting factor.It is the part of the blood which lacks clotting factor.
It is acquired after centrifuging blood with the anticoagulant.It is acquired after centrifuging of coagulated blood.
Anticoagulant is required to obtain plasma from the blood sample.Anticoagulant is not required to separate the serum from the blood sample.
Consists of 55% of the total volume of blood.Less volume in comparison to plasma.
Comparatively easier and less time is required to separate the plasma from the blood sample.Difficult to separate serum from the blood sample. It is a time-consuming process.
Contains fibrinogen.Lacks fibrinogen.
Consists of 92% water with proteins, salts, lipids, and glucose.Consists of 90% water with dissolved hormones, proteins, minerals, and carbon dioxide.
Has 1.025 g/ml densityHas 1.024 g/ml density.
Has a long shelf life. It can be preserved up to ten years.Has a short shelf life. It can be preserved only for a few months.
Plasma is the main medium for excretory product transportation.An important source of electrolytes.
Cells are freely suspended in plasma.Cells are attached together by clot formation.

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