What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
plasma
Example
The plasma in your blood contains proteins, hormones, and nutrients. [plasma: noun]
Example
After centrifuging the blood sample, the plasma separated from the red blood cells. [plasma: noun]
Example
The plasma screen on the TV displays vivid colors and sharp images. [plasma: adjective]
serum
Example
The serum contains antibodies and other proteins that help fight infections. [serum: noun]
Example
The doctor ordered a blood test to check my cholesterol levels in the serum. [serum: noun]
Example
The cheese was made by separating the curds from the serum in the milk. [serum: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Serum is more commonly used than plasma in medical contexts, particularly in diagnostic tests. Plasma is less common but is still an important component of blood transfusions and certain medical treatments.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between plasma and serum?
Both plasma and serum are formal terms used primarily in medical contexts and are not commonly used in everyday language.
