Light and Medical Tests

From Ask a Scientist: “Serum and plasma both come from the liquid portion of the blood that remains once the cells are removed, but that’s where the similarities end. Serum is the liquid that remains after the blood has clotted. Plasma is the liquid that remains when clotting is prevented with the addition of an anticoagulant.”

The list below is from Mayo Clinic which suggests amber colored containers for serum and plasma blood and urine harvesting.

The wider internet suggests wrapping specimen containers in aluminum foil…or even paper towel (?). The main thing is some of the things degrade and morph and lord knows what else when exposed to light. And that is very interesting.