Final answer:
Serum or plasma with a white, milky appearance is typically lipemic, indicating a higher concentration of lipids like VLDL and chylomicrons, and can suggest metabolic disorders or recent fat ingestion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Serum or plasma that has a white, milky appearance is described as being lipemic, which means it contains a high concentration of lipids, mainly in the form of very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and chylomicrons. A lipemic sample can be caused by a recent meal high in fats, or it could indicate a more serious condition such as hyperlipidemia or other metabolic disorders. The plasma component of blood without the coagulation factors is called the serum.
Serum is similar to interstitial fluid in that it contains key ions acting as electrolytes, which are essential for the normal functioning of muscles and nerves. It also includes proteins for maintaining pH and osmotic balance, antibodies for defense against pathogens, and transports lipids, nutrients, hormones, metabolic waste, and external substances such as drugs and viruses.