Blood serum is a term used to describe the liquid component of blood that remains after the cells and clotting factors have been removed. The spelling of this word is phonetically transcribed as /blʌd ˈsɪrəm/. The first syllable of 'blood' is pronounced with a short 'u' sound and the 'oo' vowel sound is replaced by the schwa sound. The second syllable of 'serum' is pronounced with a short 'i' sound followed by an 'uh' sound. The correct pronunciation of this term is crucial in the medical field for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Blood serum is the pale yellow fluid that remains after blood coagulation. It is the portion of blood that is left when the blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, are removed. Blood serum is composed of numerous substances including water, electrolytes, hormones, nutrients, antibodies, enzymes, proteins, and waste products.
Blood serum plays a crucial role in various biological functions within the human body. It serves as a means of transportation, delivering essential nutrients, hormones, and other substances to the organs and tissues. Moreover, blood serum contains antibodies, which are proteins produced by the immune system to defend against foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses.
Medical professionals often analyze blood serum to assess a person's overall health, diagnose diseases, and monitor treatment progress. Through the process of blood serum analysis, information about a person's metabolic system, organ function, and nutritional status can be obtained. This can aid in the early detection and management of various conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, liver dysfunction, and nutritional deficiencies.
Additionally, blood serum is commonly used in scientific research, as it provides valuable information about the composition and characteristics of the blood. It can be used to investigate disease mechanisms, identify biomarkers, and develop diagnostic tests and therapies.
In summary, blood serum is the fluid component of blood that remains after clotting, containing a diverse array of substances essential for bodily functions. It serves as a vital tool in both medical diagnostics and scientific research.
The fluid which is squeezed out by shrinkage of a blood-clot; in composition it is similar to the blood-plasma without the fibrinogen.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "serum" originated from the Latin word "serus", which means "whey" or "evening". "Blood serum" refers to the clear, yellowish fluid that separates from the clot when blood coagulates. The term "serum" was first used in the mid-17th century to describe this fluid component of blood. Its usage stems from the notion that it resembled whey, the liquid left after milk curdles.