noun
serum
SEER-um/ˈsɪrəm/
The clear fluid left after blood coagulates.
Clear, pale yellow serum surrounds a dark red clot in the tube.
Etymology
Latin serum could mean whey, the watery portion of milk. Its blood sense likewise names the liquid that separates from material becoming solid—in this case, during clotting.
In context
serum on the other hand refers to the liquid obtained after blood coagulation and the removal of fibrinogen and other clotting factors
More examples
- The lab measures antibody levels in the patient's serum.
- Serum separates from the blood cells after the sample clots.
- The technician transfers the serum to a clean vial.
Forms
serum · sera · serums
serous adjective — Relating to serum or resembling it.
serology noun — The scientific study of blood serum.
Similar words
- plasma
- Blood's liquid portion before clotting, still containing fibrinogen.