Final answer:
The red top tube yields serum due to the clotting process triggered by the clot activator. The clear liquid component that separates from the clot is the serum, which contains various substances that can be analyzed in blood tests.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the hour that the blood sample was in the glass tube, the red top tube yielded serum due to the process of clotting. The red top tube contains a clot activator which triggers the coagulation cascade. This results in the formation of a blood clot, and the clear liquid component that separates from the clot is the serum.
When blood is collected in a red top tube, the clot activator stimulates the formation of fibrin, a protein that helps in the clotting process. The fibrin forms a mesh-like structure that traps the blood cells, forming a clot. As the clot forms, the liquid component of the blood, which is the serum, separates from the clot. The serum contains various proteins, enzymes, electrolytes, and hormones that can be analyzed in different blood tests.
After the blood sample has been in the red top tube for about an hour, the technician can harvest the serum for further analysis. This can involve measuring the levels of specific substances in the serum, such as glucose, cholesterol, or liver enzymes, to evaluate different aspects of a patient's health.