Instrumentation Flashcards

1
Q

STANDARD CURVE

A
  • Method of converting quantity measured (e.g., absorbance) to that desired (e.g., concentration)
  • Measure signal from samples with known concentration
  • In simplest form, graph results; can compute equation for line as well
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2
Q

Standard Curve Diagram

A
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3
Q

STANDARD CURVE 2

A
  •  Standards - concentration known from some independent means (e.g., weight of substance in known V)
  • Some methods show “matrix effect” - result varies with sample makeup
  • Calibrators - similar to patient samples, conc. related to standards
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4
Q

TERMS

A
  • In all methods, limited range of results where same equation applies, often termed reportable (linear) range
  • Detection Limit - lowest value distinguishable from zero
  • Functional Sensitivity - lowest value with acceptable reproducibility
  • Analytical Sensitivity - sometimes used as synonym for detection limit, more properly, slope of line for determination of concentration
  • Analytical Specificity - ability to measure substance of interest but not chemically similar compounds
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5
Q

PHOTOMETRY

A
  • Use of light absorbance to determine amount of substance present
  • Principles similar for related techniques such as nephelometry, fluorometry, flame emission, and atomic absorption
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6
Q

MEASUREMENT

A
  • Relates intensity (I) of light passing through sample to that when no sample is present (I0)
  • Ratio (I/I0) termed Transmittance (T) often multiplied by 100 (%T)
  • Absorbance - amount of light absorbed, A = 2 - log (%T)
  • Although absorbance can go to infinity, there is a practical limit in distinguishing small change in I
  • Older photometers reliable from 10-90% T (0.05-1.0 A)
  • Newer instruments may work to A of 2.5
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7
Q

BEER-LAMBERT LAW

A

 A = a * b * c, where:

A - absorbance at wavelength

a - absorptivity constant of compound of interest (L•mol-1•cm-1)

b - path of light through solution

c - concentration

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8
Q

BEER-LAMBERT LAW 2

A

Simple form of Beer’s law works for single compounds in solution.

In biological fluids, many substances are present, producing a more complex version of the equation:

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9
Q

BEER-LAMBERT LAW 3

A
  • If product (a * c) for one compound >> that for all others, then can use simpler form (e.g., Hgb, bilirubin)
  • Can perform chemical reaction that produces compound with large (a * c)
  • Problematic if more than one compound absorbs at wavelength
  • If reagent and/or serum absorb, measure A before adding key reagent and reset to 0 (“blank”)
  • If A of interferent varies, measure A at points equidistant on either side, subtract average from A; termed “Allen correction” (e.g.,  OD450)
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10
Q

BEER-LAMBERT LAW 4

A
  • If only two compounds absorb (e.g., that of interest and Hgb), can solve by measuring A at two wavelengths
  • Select one wavelength where both have same absorbance, ax (isobestic point), second where interferent has ax and compound of interest has a = 0
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11
Q

BEER-LAMBERT LAW Image

A
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12
Q

SPECTROPHOTOMETRY

A

Several elements contribute to performance:

  • Light source
  • Monochromator
  • Specimen container
  • Detector/Recorder
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13
Q

SPECTROPHOTOMETER LIGHT SOURCE

A
  • Usually use continuous spectrum source (quartz halogen, tungsten)
  • May use discrete spectrum source (mercury, deuterium vapor, xenon)
  • Can also use high intensity single wavelength source (laser)
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14
Q

MONOCHROMATOR

A
  • If continuous spectrum, need to select wavelength of interest
  • Usually use prism, grating, or interference filters
  • Want narrowest range of wavelengths possible to pass through, measured as width of peak T at half height (band width, half band-pass)
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15
Q

DETECTOR

A
  • Photomultiplier tube - multiple stages (dynodes) that amplify # electrons released by light
  • Diode array - strip of semiconductor cells that release electrons in response to light of specific wavelengths; allow measurement at multiple wavelengths simultaneously
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16
Q

NEPHELOMETRY

A
  • “Cloud” meter - measure of dispersion of light by particles in solution
  • Key feature: similar to photometry, but detector at angle to light source
  • Turbidimetry - measured decrease in light (A) by particles, use photometer
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17
Q

NEPHELOMETRY 2

A
  • Major application is for detection of antigen-antibody complexes
  • Can also be used for amylase, lipase (clearance of particles of starch, triglycerides)
  • Major interference - lipemia (causes light scattering)
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18
Q

FLUOROMETRY

A
  • Fluorescent compounds - when excited by light, emit light of lower energy (longer ) after delay; difference in  Stokes shift
  • Requires second monochromator, detector at angle to light source
  • Limited to compounds that exhibit fluorescence
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19
Q

FLUOROMETRY 2

A
  • Few endogenous compounds show fluorescence (cortisol, quinidine)
  • Can attach fluorescein or other fluorescent labels
  • Inner filter - absorbs exciting light; quenching - absorbs emitted light
20
Q

VARIATIONS

A

Time resolved - use fluorescent compounds with long emission time (europium) to distinguish from interfering fluorescent substances

Fluorescence polarization inhibition (FPI) - can be used to distinguish small, large fluorescent compounds

21
Q

FPI

A
  • Small compound - rotates before emitting light, little polarized
  • Large compound - does not rotate, most fluorescence polarized
  • If label antigen, can distinguish free (small), large (bound) forms, simplifying measurement
22
Q

FLAME PHOTOMETRY

A
  • Heat from flame excites group I ions (Na+, K+, Li+)
  • Emit light of characteristic wavelength ; amount related to concentration
  • Signal also dependent on flame temperature, concentration of other group I ions
23
Q

FLAME PHOTOMETRY 2

A
  • Use large amount of group I ion not measured (either K+ or Li+) as “internal standard” (e.g., ratio of Na+ /Li+ or K+/Li+)
  • Also serves as “radiation buffer”, negating effect of change in Na+ and K+ on each other’s measurement
24
Q

ATOMIC ABSORPTION

A
  • Elements absorb light emitted by same element in cathode tube
  • Decrease in light intensity (A) while passing through vaporized element directly related to concentration
  • Flame or furnace used to free element from chemical bonds
25
CHROMATOGRAPHY
* Separation of compounds based on difference in solubility between stationary, mobile phases * Multiple applications based on differing characteristics of phases * Versatile, generally slower than most photometric techniques
26
CHROMATOGRAPHY 2
* Sample pretreatment usually needed to remove substances with high affinity for stationary phase * Inadequate removal leads to accumulation of substance on stationary phase, altering its ability to function in separation process
27
CHROMOTOGRAPHY PHASES
* Most chromatography separates on basis of difference in polarity * “Standard” chromatography - mobile phase non-polar, stationary polar * “Reversed” phase - mobile phase polar, stationary non-polar * Elution - removal of compound(s) from solid to mobile phase
28
CHROMOTOGRAPHY RESOLUTION
* Ability to separate closely related compounds * Dependent on surface area of stationary phase, difference in polarity between two phases * Increased by increasing length of column, decreasing particle size, altering mobile phase * Other factors do not change resolution: temperature, rate of flow of mobile phase, use of pressure (which changes rate of flow) * These may alter time for separation, and are thus useful in shortening procedure if resolution still adequate
29
CHROMOTOGRAPHY FORMS
* Most chromatography uses columns; coated plates (thin layer) also used * Stationary phase usually solid, but may be liquid (in gas chromatography) * Mobile phase usually liquid, may be gas in gas chromatography
30
ION EXCHANGE
* Stationary phase is charged: anion exchange, positive charge, cation exchange, negative charge * Oppositely charged compounds attach to stationary phase * Use of increasing ionic strength mobile phase allows elution
31
AFFINITY
* Stationary phase binds specific compounds only * Examples: Staph. Protein A for IgG, boronate for glycated proteins such as hemoglobin A1c * After other compounds leave column, can elute by changing pH
32
MOLECULAR SIEVE
* Stationary phase has “pores” that trap small compounds * Large molecules pass between beads * Examples: Sephadex
33
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
* Separates compounds based on volatility * Stationary phase high boiling point liquid or solid, mobile phase inert gas * Can make many compounds volatile by producing derivatives
34
IDENTIFICATION
* In TLC, distance migrated relative to solvent (Rf) used * In column methods, time to elute from column (retention time) used * Usually compared to a known compound added to each sample (internal standard)
35
DETECTION
* For most, photometric methods most widely used * In GC, can use flame ionization (organic), electron capture (halogen) * Quantification usually by peak area, compared to standards
36
ELECTROPHORESIS
* Separates compounds based on relative charge density * Components include electricity source, buffer (where separation occurs), inert support * Constant voltage used; potential affects rate of migration
37
ELECTROPHERESIS SEPARATION
* Proteins have varying charge * pI, isoelectric point - no net charge * If pH \> pI, charge negative * If pH \< pI, charge positive * Buffer adjusts pH; ionic strength determines size of ion cloud, rate of migration, band sharpness
38
ELECTROPHERESIS SUPPORT MEDIA
* Polyacrylamide, starch - separate on charge, size * Agarose, cellulose acetate - have negative charge on membrane * Solvent molecules (H3O+) attracted to membrane, cause physical current; causes paradoxical migration of some molecules (electroendosmosis)
39
ELECTROPHERESIS QUANTIFICATION
Use densitometer, similar to spectrophotometer, after staining  Proteins - Coomassie blue, Ponceau red-S usually used  DNA - ethidium bromide used
40
CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS
* Use of capillary tube allows small volumes, continuous sampling, automation * Proteins pass by detector, generate “peaks”; no physical gel to view * Can be combined with mass spectrometer to identify proteins (e.g. Hgb A1c)
41
MASS SPECTROMETRY
* Involves ionization of compounds in two major formats * Weak ionization used for mixtures of compounds * Strong ionization fragments compounds in characteristic ways * Ions separated based on mass/charge (m/z) ratio
42
MASS SPECTROMETRY 2
* Strong ionization used to identify compounds separated by other means (e.g., GC/MS) * Weak ionization used to separate mixtures of compounds (e.g., steroids) after extraction of sample * May be combined (tandem MS)
43
RADIOACTIVITY
Isotopes emit 3 types of radioactivity * alpha particles - He nucleus, low energy, short penetrance * beta particles - electron or positron; moderate energy * gamma rays - high energy photons
44
RADIOACTIVITY
Radioactive decay random; related to specific activity constant, gamma , for each isotope: (equation) Time for activity to fall to 50% of baseline (half-life) usually used to describe isotopes, = 0.693/gamma
45
RADIOACTIVITY MEASUREMENT
* Beta particles measured by scintillation * Crystal scintillation - NaI * Liquid - 2,5 phenyl oxazole (PPO) * gamma radiation - gas filled tubes (e.g., Geiger counter), radiation ionizes gas molecules, current measured