biochemistry Flashcards
What is biochemistry?
measuring enzymes, electrolytes etc to evaluate different organ systems
Whats the difference between plasma and serum?
plasma - has clotting factors
serum - no clotting factors
both contain no cells
How do you get plasma / serum?
plasma - centrifuge with anti-coag
serum - centrifuge without anti - coag (get clot)
What does total protein give an indication of?
albumins and globulins
high : dehydrated, infl, neoplasia
low: loss, decreased synthesis, dilution
What enzymes do we use to assess the pancreas? and what is the problem?
amylase and lipase
not very specific as excreted by the kidney so affected by renal failure
How do we assess the urinary system?
Urea (not ruminants) : from liver and excreted by kidney, depends on protein intake
Creatinine: from creatine in muscle, depends on muscle mass
What is azotemia? and what does it measure
increased nitrogenous waste in the circulation. the kidneys ability to concentrate urine
How do we clarify azotemia?
pre-renal : dehydration
renal: renal disease
post-renal: obstruction
High urea and creatinine
How is sodium measured and why?
Measure as proportion of total body water, regulated by kidney and is main ion in extracellular fluid
Why measure potassium?
Main ion in intracellular space, affected by renal function and acid/base balance
Can be low when vomitting
How does chloride normally change?
in same direction as sodium
if different: acid/base problem, vom, abomasum prob
How can calcium levels be split up?
total ca = free ca + bound ca (to albumin) + bound ca to anions
How is phosphorus affected?
by PTH and calcitonin
increased with rena disease
What is naturally high in young animals?
Calcium and phosphorus
What are ALP,AST, ALT and GGT and what do they measure?
ALP = alkaline phosphotase AST = aspartate transaminase ALT = alanine transaminase GGT = gamma-glutamyl transferase
Liver function
