Which type of blood collection tube contains serum separator gel?

The gold or serum separator tube is designed specifically to contain serum separator gel, which acts as a barrier between the serum and the cellular components of blood after centrifugation. When blood is drawn into this tube, it allows for the separation of serum from the clotting factors and cellular material, facilitating easier and more efficient testing.

The serum separator gel in this tube ensures that the serum remains separated from the blood cells and helps prevent contamination. This is particularly important for tests that require serum rather than whole blood. By using this tube, laboratory personnel can obtain a clear sample of serum needed for various analyses without additional handling or processing.

In contrast, the other options do not contain serum separator gel and are intended for different purposes; for example, the red top tube typically serves for serum collection but lacks the gel, while the green and blue top tubes often contain additives for specific anticoagulant purposes, not related to the separation of serum.