Serum Purification Methods and Real-World Uses Explained
Serum is a byproduct of blood clotting, in which the plasma protein fibrinogen is converted to fibrin and left behind in the clot. Antiserum - that is prepared from the blood of humans or animals that have been exposed to a disease and have developed specific antibodies, can be used to protect the persons against disease that they have been exposed to.
Study of Serum
Blood is a fluid connective tissue that travels throughout the body by transporting necessary oxygen, nutrients, and metabolic wastes. Also, it is involved in the regulation of the temperature and pH levels of the body by interacting with acids and bases.
Primarily, blood is composed of WBC (white blood cells), RBC (red blood cells), serum, and plasma. Serum and plasma are the primary components of blood and they are routinely used in blood group test experiments for determining the blood group of the patients.
The study of serum is called serology. Serum is used in many diagnostic tests and blood typing as well. Measuring the concentration of different molecules may be useful for several applications, such as determining the therapeutic index of a drug candidate in the clinical trial.
To obtain the serum, a blood sample is allowed to clot (which is called coagulation). Then, the sample is centrifuged to remove the blood cells and clot, and the resulting liquid supernatant is called the serum.
Clinical and Laboratory Uses
Serum from convalescent patients successfully recovering (or having already recovered) from an infectious disease can be used as a biopharmaceutical in the care of other people with the same disease because the antibodies formed by successful recovery are pathogen's potent fighters. Such convalescent serum (which is antiserum) is a form of immunotherapy.
Also, serum is used in protein electrophoresis, because of the lack of fibrinogen that can cause false results.
Fetal bovine serum (FBS) is very rich in growth factors and is frequently added to the growth media used for eukaryotic cell culture. The embryonic stem cells were originally maintained with a cytokine leukaemia inhibitory and an FBS combination factor, but concerns about batch-to-batch differences in FBS led to the production of serum substitutes.
Key Terms
Electrolyte: Any of different ions (such as chloride or sodium) that regulate the electric charge on the cells and flow of the water across their membranes
Interstitial fluid: In multicellular species, interstitial fluid is a solution contained in tissue spaces that inundates and moistens the cells.
Viscosity: It's a measurement of the force per unit area resisting uniform flow in a fluid.
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The above figure shows the blood sample after the centrifugation: The liquid components of the blood, known as plasma (the yellow section) may be separated from the erythrocytes (the red section) and platelets (the white section) by using spinning or centrifuging the blood.
Purification Strategies
Plasma and blood serum meaning are some of the largest sources of biomarkers, whether for therapeutics or diagnostics. Its huge dynamic range, further complicated by the presence of salts, lipids, and the post-translational modifications, and multiple mechanisms of degradation as well, presents the challenges in analytical reproducibility, resolution, sensitivity, and potential efficacy.
For analysis of the biomarkers in blood serum samples, it is possible to perform a pre-separation by a free-flow electrophoresis, which usually consists of a depletion of the serum albumin protein. This particular method enables a greater penetration of the proteome via separation of a variety of chargeable or charged analytes, ranging from small molecules to the cells.
Usage Note
As several other mass nouns, the term serum may be pluralized when used in certain senses. Physicians often use the term sera to refer to multiple serum specimens from multiple individuals (each with its own population of antibodies) (Latin plural, as opposed to as serums).
Enzymes That Test for in the Blood Serum
Usually, enzymes which enter the bloodstream signify something bad, whether it’s myocardial infarction, congenital heart disorders, cancer, and more. The below listed ones are some we'd find and what they exactly mean:
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT; also known as SGPT)
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST; also known as SGOT)
A liver enzyme. Can increase when using the cholesterol-lowering medications
A liver enzyme, which is released into the bloodstream following injury or even death of cells. Increased AST is seen with myocardial infarction (MI), liver diseases, and a few medications. Can increase when using cholesterol-lowering medications.
Creatinine (Cr)
Creatinine becomes elevated with kidney disease, illness, muscle injury and a few medications.
Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)
LDH is given as an enzyme released in the blood with cell injuries. Often, it is used as a late marker to detect heart attacks. Kidney and liver disease, megaloblastic and pernicious anemias, progressive muscular dystrophy, malignancy, and pulmonary emboli all cause an increase.
Myoglobin (Mb)
Myoglobin is given as a protein found in certain muscle types. Elevated myoglobin can indicate inflammation or muscle injury.
Troponin T (cTNT)
Troponin T is given as a protein found in the blood and it is related to the heart muscle contraction. Troponin T is valuable to detect heart muscle damage and risk.
FAQs on What Is Serum in Biology?
1. What is serum in biology?
In biology, serum is the clear, yellowish fluid component of blood that remains after the blood has been allowed to clot. Essentially, it is blood plasma with the clotting factors, such as fibrinogen, removed. It contains all other plasma components like proteins (albumin, globulins), electrolytes, hormones, antigens, and antibodies.
2. How is blood serum different from blood plasma?
The primary difference between serum and plasma lies in the presence of clotting factors. Plasma is the liquid component of unclotted blood and contains fibrinogen and other coagulation proteins. Serum is the liquid part that remains after clotting has occurred, meaning it lacks these factors.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Plasma: Obtained by centrifuging anticoagulated blood. Contains water, proteins, electrolytes, and clotting factors.
- Serum: Obtained from coagulated (clotted) blood. Contains all components of plasma except the clotting factors.
3. What are the main functions and uses of serum?
Serum has several vital functions and is crucial for diagnostics. Its main uses include:
- Transport: It transports hormones, fatty acids, and minerals throughout the body.
- Immunity: It contains antibodies (immunoglobulins) that are essential for fighting off pathogens.
- Diagnostic Testing: Most blood tests, such as those checking cholesterol, blood sugar, proteins, and electrolytes, are performed on serum because the absence of clotting factors prevents interference with the test results.
- Therapeutics: Antiserum, which contains antibodies against a specific pathogen or toxin, is used for treating infections and envenomation.
4. How is serum obtained from a blood sample in a laboratory?
To obtain serum, a blood sample is collected in a test tube without any anticoagulant. The blood is allowed to sit undisturbed for about 15-30 minutes, during which time it naturally clots. This clot entraps the blood cells and clotting factors. The sample is then placed in a centrifuge, which spins at high speed. The spinning action separates the heavier, solid clot from the lighter, liquid serum, which can then be easily pipetted off for analysis.
5. Why is serum often preferred over plasma for certain medical tests?
Serum is preferred for many biochemical and serological tests because the clotting factors present in plasma can interfere with the results. For example, the presence of fibrinogen in plasma can sometimes cause small clots to form during a test, leading to inaccurate readings or clogged equipment. Since serum is naturally devoid of these proteins, it provides a cleaner and more stable sample for measuring analytes like hormones, antibodies, and other proteins, ensuring higher accuracy in diagnostic testing.
6. What does the term 'antiserum' mean?
Antiserum is blood serum that contains a high concentration of specific antibodies against a particular antigen or pathogen. It is produced by repeatedly exposing an animal (like a horse) to the antigen, causing its immune system to generate a large quantity of antibodies. This antibody-rich serum is then collected and purified. Antiserums are used therapeutically to provide passive immunity, for example, in antivenom for snake bites or in treating diseases like diphtheria and tetanus.
7. Can the composition of serum indicate a person's health status?
Yes, analysing the composition of serum is a fundamental tool in medicine for assessing health. Variations in the levels of its components can indicate various conditions. For instance:
- High levels of glucose can indicate diabetes.
- Elevated levels of certain enzymes (like creatinine kinase) can signal muscle or heart damage.
- Abnormal levels of electrolytes like sodium or potassium can point to kidney problems or dehydration.
- The presence of specific antibodies can confirm an active or past infection.
