Biochemistry

Question 1

What is the difference between serum and plasma?

Answer 1

Plasma contains all the clotting factors, but serum does not.

Question 2

How is serum made?

Answer 2

The blood is allowed to clot, and then centrifuged. Serum is then removed.

Question 3

Under what circumstances would you expect total blood protein to increase/decrease?

Answer 3

Increase - Dehydration, inflammation, neoplasia.

Decrease - Protein loss, dilution.

Question 4

Under what circumstances would you expect albumin to increase/decrease?

Answer 4

Increase - dehydration

Decrease - Increased loss (haemorrhage, GI), third spacing.

Question 5

Under what circumstances would you expect globulins to increase/decrease?

Answer 5

Increase - Inflammation (polyclonal - all types of globulins), Neoplasia (increase in single type of globulin).

Question 6

In what normal physiological state would you expect increased phosphorous levels?

Answer 6

In a young, growing animal.

Question 7

What is Azotemia?

Answer 7

Increase in urea/creatine in circulation.

Question 8

What biochemical proteins are used to evaluate the urinary system? What else should you use?

Answer 8

Urea and creatine. Also use urinalysis, and urine specific gravity.

Question 9

What does urine specific gravity show?

Answer 9

It measures the kidney’s ability to concentrate. If it decreases, it means the kidney has decreased concentration ability.