A light yellow, transparent liquid formed when blood coagulates. When blood is drawn from a vessel and placed in a test tube without an anticoagulant, the coagulation process begins immediately, causing the blood to solidify into a gel-like clot. As the clot contracts, a pale yellow, clear fluid called serum is left around it. This serum can also be obtained by centrifuging the clotted blood. During coagulation, fibrinogen is converted into fibrin, which forms the clot, meaning that serum does not contain fibrinogen—this is one of the key differences between serum and plasma. Additionally, during the coagulation process, platelets release various substances, and clotting factors undergo changes. These components remain in the serum and continue to alter over time, such as prothrombin converting into thrombin, which gradually decreases or disappears with prolonged storage. These characteristics distinguish serum from plasma. However, many other substances that did not take part in the coagulation process are similar to those found in plasma. To avoid interference from anticoagulants, serum is often used as a sample for analyzing various chemical components in blood.

Main Functions:

● Providing essential nutrients: Serum contains amino acids, vitamins, inorganic compounds, lipids, and nucleic acid derivatives, all of which are crucial for cell growth and function. ● Supplying hormones and growth factors: It includes insulin, adrenocortical hormones like dexamethasone, steroid hormones such as estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone, as well as growth factors like fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and platelet-derived growth factor. ● Offering binding proteins: Proteins such as albumin help transport vital low-molecular-weight substances, including vitamins, fats, and hormones. Transferrin, for example, binds and transports iron. These binding proteins are essential for cellular metabolism. ● Providing contact and protective factors: Serum helps protect cells from mechanical stress, especially during handling or suspension. ● Offering cellular protection: Some cells, like endothelial and bone marrow-derived cells, secrete proteases, but serum contains anti-protease components that neutralize them. This property was discovered accidentally but is now intentionally used to stop trypsin digestion during cell passage. Trypsin is commonly used to detach adherent cells, and serum proteins create a protective layer that prevents mechanical damage, particularly in suspended cultures. Serum also contains trace elements and ions, such as selenium (SeO3), which play a role in metabolic processes and detoxification.

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