Difference Between Plasma and Serum

https://medimoon.com/2012/07/difference-between-plasma-and-serum/
 BY DR KHEZAR HAYAT
 IN MEDICAL
 — 3 JUL, 2012 AT 12:50 PM
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
(Body’s 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. Plasma proteins
with their percentage is indicated below;

1. Albumin (60%)
2. Globulin (35%)
3. Fibrinogen (4%)
4. Regulatory proteins, lipoproteins and iron binding proteins (1%)
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 and it also lack fibrinogen.
Difference in Isolation Procedure:
It is more difficult and time consuming to separate serum than plasma.

Difference in Use of Anticoagulants:

There is no need to use anticoagulants for separation of serum wheres anticoagulants are
necessary to separate 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. Plasma is
also included by World Health Organization (WHO) in its Model Essential Drug List.

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:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 19th WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (April 2015)” (PDF). WHO. April
2015. Retrieved May 04, 2016
(UPDATED ON 04-05-2016)

http://microbiologynotes.com/differences-between-serum-and-plasma/
S.N. Serum
Serum is the undiluted,
1 extracellular portion of blood after
adequate coagulation is complete.
Plasma
Plasma is a clear, straw-colored watery
portion of the blood in which several
types of blood cells are suspended.

Serum is part of blood which lack Plasma is composed of serum and

2 clotting factor. clotting factor.

Acquired after centrifuging blood with

Acquired after centrifuging of
3 coagulated blood.
anti-coagulant.

Anticoagulant are not needed to Anticoagulant are required to get

4 separate the serum. plasma.

Less volume in comparison to

plasma.
5 [Plasma – Fibrinogen (Clotting
factor)= Serum]
Consists 55% of total volume of blood.

Difficult to separate and is time Comparatively easier and less time

6 consuming. consuming than serum.

7 Lack fibrinogen. Contain fibrinogen.

Consists 90% water with dissolved

Consists ~92% water with Proteins,
8 proteins, minerals, hormones and
carbon dioxide.
Salts, Lipids, Glucose.

9 Density of serum is 1.024g/ml. Density of plasma is 1.025g/ml.

Can be reserved at 2 to 6 degrees

centigrade for many days and may Can be stored for even 10 years from
10 be stored at a low temperature in the date it has been collected.
the freezer for various months.
 Plasma is the main medium for
11 An important source of electrolytes.
excretory product transportation.

Cells are usually attached together Cells are not attached together and
12 by clot formation. suspended in plasma.

Transferred to the patients who are

Most preferred part of blood used
suffering from hemophilia, shocks,
13 in checking blood groups and
diagnosis of diseases.
burns, and other clotting problems and
also those who lack blood cell.

Differences between Serum and Plasma