serum
/'siərəm/
Definition
- Noun:
- An amber, watery fluid, rich in proteins, that separates from blood when it coagulates: This is the clear, yellowish liquid part of blood that remains after blood cells and clotting factors have been removed. It contains antibodies, electrolytes, and other proteins.
- Any bodily fluid resembling this, or a preparation of such fluid used for medical purposes: This can refer to similar fluids or to medicinal preparations derived from blood serum, often containing antibodies for treatment or immunization.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- The lab technician analyzed the patient's blood serum for antibodies.
- Antivenom is produced from the serum of immunized animals.
- The doctor ordered a serum electrolyte test.
Advanced Usage
- "Convalescent serum": Serum taken from a person who has recovered from a disease, used for its antibody content to treat others.
- Convalescent serum was used as an early treatment for some viral infections.
- "Immune serum": Serum containing a high concentration of antibodies against a specific pathogen or toxin.
- The patient received an injection of immune serum to combat the snake venom.
Variants and Related Words
- Serous (adj): Of, relating to, or producing serum; having a thin, watery consistency.
- A serous membrane lines body cavities.
- Serology (n): The scientific study or diagnostic examination of blood serum, especially for immune responses.
- Serology tests can determine if someone has been exposed to a virus.
Synonyms
- Antiserum: A blood serum containing antibodies against a specific antigen.
- Plasma (Note: Plasma is the liquid component of blood, which contains clotting factors; serum is plasma without those factors.)
Related Phrases (Phrasal verbs are not applicable for this noun)
- Serum sickness: An immune system reaction, similar to an allergy, that can occur after receiving antiserum or certain medications.
- Symptoms of serum sickness include fever, rash, and joint pain.
Related Idioms
- "Truth serum" (Informal/Colloquial): A misnomer for a drug, like sodium thiopental, supposedly used to make a person tell the truth.
- In old spy movies, the agent was interrogated under truth serum.
Noun
-
an amber, watery fluid, rich in proteins, that separates out when blood coagulates
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