Question

Differentiate between plasma and serum.

Answer 1

Blood which is also called the “river of life”, is made up of two components- plasma and formed elements. Plasma transports simple components like glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins etc. from the intestine and liver to other body parts.

Complete answer:

Plasma	Serum
Plasma is the straw colored nonliving fluid component of the blood.	It is the yellow colored fluid that gets separated when blood clots.
Water forms 92-95% composition of the plasma.	It comprises 90% water.
It has the clotting factors besides water. Fibrinogen is present.	Albumin and globulin proteins are present in this. Fibrinogen is absent in the serum
It also contains lipids, salts and glucose.	It also contains electrolytes, antigens, antibodies and hormones.
Cells in the plasma are suspended and not present together.	Cells here are attached together due to clot formation.
It can be separated and obtained by using anticoagulants.	It cannot be separated using anticoagulants.
It forms approximately 55% of the blood volume.	Serum forms much lesser volumes of blood than plasma.
Plasma can be stored for up to a year in the frozen condition.	The serum can be stored for several days at 2-6 degrees centigrade.
Plasma decolorizes on standing.	It does not decolorize when left standing.

Note: Both serum and plasma are used for various types of studies like human serum is used for diagnostic testing. Anti-venom, antitoxins and vaccinations involving other animal sera and serums are also used for therapeutic purposes in humans. Plasma transfer to the patients of hemophilia, shocks, burns, clotting problems, etc., is done many times.