Clinical biochemistry 1 Flashcards
What is blood clotting?
The process of allowing blood to clot and separating components by centrifugation quickly and effectively
What is oncotic pressure?
The osmotic pressure that prevents water from diffusing from the blood into the tissues
What is clinical biochemistry?
The analysis of blood plasma/serum for compounds such as proteins, metabolites, and electrolytes.
Besides blood, what other biological fluids can be analyzed in clinical biochemistry?
Urine, cerebrospinal fluid, acidic fluid, and saliva
Why is there not a single biochemical test for one condition?
Because diagnosis relies on ruling out different symptoms through multiple tests
What are proteins in clinical biochemistry used for?
Structural roles, extracellular matrix formation, enzyme activity monitoring, and diagnostic testing.
What are metabolites?
Substances produced during metabolism, including peptides, lipids, sugars, and electrolytes
What are biochemical tests used for?
Routine diagnostic testing in various animals, including panels, databases, and profiles
What are key parameters in a standard biochemical profile for companion animals?
Total protein, albumin, globulin, urea levels, creatinine, ALT, and alkaline phosphatase levels.
What are additional biochemical test requirements for athletic animals?
Enzymes such as CK and AST, which are important for liver and muscle function
What are additional biochemical test requirements for farm animals and equids?
Enzymes like GDH and GGT.
How are biochemical test results interpreted?
By comparing blood compound levels to species-specific reference ranges.
Why must blood/serum be separated quickly in clinical biochemistry?
To prevent artificial effects that could compromise the sample
What role do anticoagulants play in blood clotting tests?
They prevent clotting when needed for specific biochemical tests
What is total protein (TP or TS)?
The measure of protein in fluid, estimated using a refractometer or spectrophotometry
How does dehydration affect total protein levels?
It increases total protein levels due to thicker blood
How does over-hydration affect total protein levels?
It decreases total protein levels due to dilution.
What conditions can cause an increase in total protein levels?
Dehydration, chronic inflammation, and paraproteinemia
What conditions can cause a decrease in total protein levels?
Over-hydration, severe congestive heart failure, hemorrhage, burns, and some viral conditions (especially in horses).
What is albumin?
The most abundant component of total proteins, responsible for 75% of oncotic pressure and transporting compounds.
How is albumin measured?
Spectrophotometrically using Bromcresol Green (BCG), though it may overestimate low concentrations.
What important substances does albumin transport?
Free fatty acids, bile acids, bilirubin, calcium, hormones, and drugs
What are globulins?
Antibodies involved in immune responses, often calculated rather than measured in biochemical panels
What diagnostic method is used to detect antigens using globulins?
ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)
