Difference Between Plasma And Serum

3 Comments
by Dr Khezar Hayat
In Medical
3 Jul, 2012 at 12:50 pm
2
inShare
Plasma and serum are two frequent terms which are used alternately. It
is believed that 8% of total body weight is due to blood. Blood is
mainly composed of plasma, serum, white blood cells and red blood cells.
White blood cells play very important role in immune system (Bodys
defense system) whereas red blood cells involve in transportation of
oxygen.
Importance:
Plasma and serum are components of blood and routinely used for blood
testing. Serology is the branch of medical science that is involved in
study of blood serum. Following are the key points that could be helpful
in understanding the difference between plasma and serum.
Difference in Definition:
Serum is that part of blood which is similar in composition with plasma
but exclude clotting factors of blood. Fibrinogen is a protein that is
involved in blood coagulation. Fibrinogen is an inactive protein and it
performs its functions by converting into fibrin (active form of
fibrinogen). Plasma is considered as the medium of blood in which RBCs
(Red Blood Cells), WBC (White Blood Cells) and other components of blood
are suspended.
Difference in Composition:
The components of plasma and serum are similar as both contain hormones,
glucose, electrolytes, antibodies, antigens, nutrients and certain other
particles except clotting factors which are present only in plasma. So
we can say that
Plasma clotting factors = Serum
Difference in Percentage Volume:
Blood plasma is a clear yellow liquid which is 55% of total volume of
blood. The major portion of plasma is water i.g 93% and 7% to is
composed of blood cell and other parts. It has a density of 1025 kg/ m3.
The percentage volume of serum is less in comparison to plasma it also
lack fibrinogen.

Difference in Isolation
Procedure:
It is more difficult and
time consuming to
separate serum than
plasma.
Difference in Medical
Use:

Serum is the most preferred part of blood used in checking blood groups
and diagnosis of diseases whereas plasma is delivered to the patients
who lack blood cells. Like fresh frozen plasma is used in Hemophilia B.
It can also be used for diagnosis of diseases.
Summary:
1. Plasma is composed of serum and clotting factors.
2. Serum is the part of blood which lack clotting factors
3. It is difficult to separate serum in comparison to plasma
References:
Maton, Anthea; Jean Hopkins, Charles William McLaughlin, Susan
Johnson, Maryanna Quon Warner, David LaHart, Jill D. Wright (1993).
Human Biology and Health. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, USA: Prentice
Hall. ISBN 0-13-981176-1.
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