Anatomy and Physiology II Practice Test

Blood that is devoid of clotting factors and formed elements is known as?

1. Albumin

2. Serum

3. Plasma

4. Globulin

The correct answer is: Serum

Blood that is devoid of clotting factors and formed elements is known as serum. When blood is allowed to clot, the solid components (clotting factors and formed elements) are removed, leaving behind this clear, yellowish fluid. Serum contains water, electrolytes, proteins (like albumin and globulins), hormones, and waste products but lacks the clotting components that would normally be present in plasma, which is the liquid component of blood that includes clotting factors. This distinction is critical for understanding various laboratory tests and procedures in clinical settings, as serum is often used for many diagnostic tests because it does not interfere with blood clotting.