Ever wondered what serum is? Its composition, functions, uses in the medical field?

– Serum is a component of blood that is obtained after the blood has clotted. Serum contains many substances that are important for various biological and clinical purposes.

Here are some of the main points you should know about serum:

🔅 Its composition:

– Serum is the liquid part of blood that remains after the clotting factors and blood cells have been removed. Serum includes all proteins not used in blood clotting, such as albumin, globulins, and immunoglobulins. Serum also contains electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride; hormones, such as insulin, cortisol, and thyroid hormones; antibodies, such as IgG, IgM, and IgE; antigens, such as viruses, bacteria, and allergens; and exogenous substances, such as drugs, toxins, and microorganisms.

🔅 Its functions:

– Serum has several functions in the body, such as:

Transport: Serum helps to transport nutrients, waste products, hormones, and other substances throughout the body.

Immunity: Serum contains antibodies that help to fight off infections and diseases. Serum also contains antigens that can stimulate the immune system to produce more antibodies.

Buffering: Serum contains buffers that help to maintain the pH balance of the blood within a normal range.

Osmotic pressure balance: Serum contains proteins that help to maintain the osmotic pressure of the blood vessels and prevent fluid loss or gain.

🔅 Applications and uses of Serum in the medical arena

– Serum is widely used in the medical field for various purposes, such as:

🔅 Diagnosis

– Serum can be used to detect problems or abnormalities in the blood or body tissues by measuring the levels of certain substances. For example, serum can be used to test for blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, liver function, kidney function, thyroid function, pregnancy, infections, allergies, autoimmune diseases, cancers, and drug abuse.

🔅 Therapy

– Serum can be used to treat certain conditions by providing missing or deficient substances. For example, serum can be used to provide clotting factors for hemophilia patients; antibodies for immune deficiency patients; hormones for endocrine disorder patients; or electrolytes for dehydration patients.

🔅 Research

– Serum can be used to study the effects of various factors on the blood or body tissues by analyzing the changes in certain substances. For example, serum can be used to study the effects of drugs, toxins, hormones, diet, exercise, stress, aging, or diseases on the blood or body tissues.