Which component is absent in serum due to clotting processes?

Which component is absent in serum due to clotting processes?

• A. Electrolytes
• B. Albumin
• C. Immunoglobulins
• D. Clotting factors

Answer: (D)

Serum is the liquid that remains after blood has clotted, so the factors that drive coagulation are consumed in the process. During clot formation, clotting factors such as fibrinogen are activated and incorporated into the clot, leaving them absent from the liquid portion. That’s why serum contains electrolytes, albumin, and immunoglobulins, but not functional clotting factors. If you prevented clotting with an anticoagulant, you’d obtain plasma, which still contains those clotting factors.

Serum is the liquid that remains after blood has clotted, so the factors that drive coagulation are consumed in the process. During clot formation, clotting factors such as fibrinogen are activated and incorporated into the clot, leaving them absent from the liquid portion. That’s why serum contains electrolytes, albumin, and immunoglobulins, but not functional clotting factors. If you prevented clotting with an anticoagulant, you’d obtain plasma, which still contains those clotting factors.