Plasma differs from arum in

Options

A. Presence of clotting factors
B. Absence of clotting factors
C. Presence of minerals
D. Presence of glucose

Answer

To solve the question regarding the differences between plasma and serum, we can break it down into clear steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Definition of Plasma and Serum**:
- Plasma is the liquid component of blood that contains water, electrolytes, nutrients, hormones, waste products, and proteins, including clotting factors.
- Serum is the liquid that remains after blood has clotted and is devoid of clotting factors.

2. **Components of Plasma**:
- Plasma contains blood cells (RBCs, WBCs, and platelets) suspended in it.
- It is rich in clotting factors such as fibrinogen, prothrombin, and various other proteins necessary for blood coagulation.

3. **Components of Serum**:
- Serum is essentially plasma without the clotting factors.
- It contains proteins, but these are primarily antibodies and other proteins that are not involved in clotting.

4. **Key Differences**:
- The most significant difference is the presence of clotting factors. Plasma contains these factors, while serum does not.
- Plasma is responsible for transporting cells and nutrients, while serum is primarily a protein-rich liquid that does not facilitate clotting.

5. **Conclusion**:
- The correct answer to the question is that plasma differs from serum primarily in the presence of clotting factors.