What is serum?

Serum is defined as the clear liquid that can be separated from clotted blood. When blood clots, the cellular components settle at the bottom of the tube, and the serum remains as a straw-colored fluid on top. This fluid contains various proteins, hormones, enzymes, and antibodies, making it a vital component for various diagnostic tests and treatments. It is important to distinguish serum from plasma, which is the liquid component of uncoagulated blood that contains clotting factors. Understanding the properties and roles of serum in medical contexts is crucial, as it is frequently used in laboratories for the analysis of various health markers.