Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Clinical Chemistry > L.5 Serum proteins > Flashcards

L.5 Serum proteins Flashcards

(88 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What is plasma?

A

Noncellular component of anticoagulated whole blood

Plasma serves as the liquid medium for blood cells and contains various proteins and nutrients.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are plasma proteins?

A

All proteins of blood plasma and interstitial fluid

Intersitial fluid is found between blood vessels and cells.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Which is the most abundant plasma protein?

A

Albumin

Other plasma proteins include immunoglobulin, transport proteins, and clotting proteins.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Where are most plasma proteins synthesized and catabolized?

A

In the liver

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What can cause alterations to serum total protein?

A
  1. ↑ or ↓ in volume of plasma water
  2. ↑ or ↓ in concentration of protein in plasma

These alterations are due to intake, synthesis, excretion, and distribution.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the reference range for total serum protein?

A

(65 - 85 g/L)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What does hypoproteinaemia indicate?

A

Haemodilution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What does hyperproteinaemia indicate?

A

Haemoconcentration

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are methods for determination of total protein?

A

• Direct photometric methods
• Biuret method
• Dye-binding methods
• Turbimetric and nephelometric methods

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the principle of direct photometric methods?

A

Proteins can absorb UV light between 200-230 and 272-290nm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the Warburg-Christian method?

A

Natural absorbance of proteins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

At what wavelength does absorption due to peptide bond backbone occur?

A

205nm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the sensitivity comparison between 205nm and 280nm?

A

Higher sensitivity at 205nm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What causes high protein-to-protein variation in UV absorption?

A

Proportion of tryptophan, tyrosine, and phenylalanine varies greatly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What substances interfere with UV light absorption at 280nm?

A

Free tyrosine and tryptophan, uric acid, and bilirubin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the Biuret method?

A

Peptide bonds react with Cu2+ ions in alkaline solutions to form a coloured product

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

At what wavelength is absorbance measured in the Biuret method?

A

540nm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What does a blue color indicate in the Biuret method?

A

Proteins are absent

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What does a purple color indicate in the Biuret method?

A

Proteins are present

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What are dye-binding methods based on?

A

Ability of proteins to bind dyes such as Coomassie brilliant blue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the linear range for dye-binding methods?

A

Up to 150mg/dL

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What methods utilize dye-binding for protein determination?

A

• Serum protein electrophoresis
• Bence-Jones proteins in urine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What does turbidimetry measure?

A

Intensity of transmitted light

Turbidimetry is used to assess the clarity of a solution by measuring how much light passes through it.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

At what angle does the detector read in turbidimetry?

A

180 degrees from the incident light beam

This configuration allows for the measurement of transmitted light intensity.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What do nephelometers measure?
Intensity of scattered light ## Footnote Nephelometry is often used to analyze low concentration proteins.
26
At what angle does the detector read in nephelometry?
Right angle from the incident light beam ## Footnote This setup is critical for measuring scattered light effectively.
27
Which method is better for low concentration proteins?
Nephelometric methods ## Footnote Although more expensive, they provide better accuracy for low concentrations.
28
What are the methods for total globulin determination?
* Colourimetric methods * Globulin differential (albumin-globulin ratio) * Electrophoresis * Immunochemical methods ## Footnote These methods help in quantifying globulin levels in serum.
29
What is the preferred method for determining globulin?
Globulin differential (albumin-globulin ratio) ## Footnote This method involves calculating globulin as Total Protein minus Albumin.
30
What does serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) measure?
The protein content of biological fluids ## Footnote SPEP is commonly used for serum, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
31
How does electrophoresis separate particles?
Based on mass to charge ratio ## Footnote This separation helps identify abnormalities in protein levels.
32
What type of sample is needed for serum protein electrophoresis?
Serum (with removal of fibrinogen) ## Footnote Fibrinogen can interfere with electrophoresis results.
33
What is the most abundant plasma protein?
Albumin ## Footnote Albumin plays a crucial role in various physiological functions.
34
What is the molecular weight of albumin?
≈68 kDa ## Footnote This size contributes to its function and behavior in biological fluids.
35
What is the reference range for albumin levels?
(35-50 g/L) ## Footnote Maintaining albumin levels within this range is critical for health.
36
What percentage of total plasma protein does albumin represent?
≈60% ## Footnote Albumin is a major component of plasma proteins.
37
What is the half-life of albumin?
≈18-20 days ## Footnote This relatively long half-life is important for its function in circulation.
38
What is the fastest migrating protein in serum protein electrophoresis?
Albumin ## Footnote Its charge and size allow it to migrate rapidly in an electric field.
39
Where is albumin synthesized?
Liver ## Footnote Albumin constitutes about 25% of total hepatic protein synthesis.
40
What are the roles of albumin? List them.
* Transport of ligands (e.g. amino acids, hormones) * Colloidal osmotic pressure maintenance ## Footnote Albumin is essential for transporting various substances in the blood.
41
What percentage of osmotic pressure in human plasma is albumin responsible for?
75-80% ## Footnote This role is crucial for maintaining blood volume and fluid distribution.
42
What condition can hypoalbuminaemia lead to?
Retention of fluid in tissue (oedema) ## Footnote Low albumin levels can cause swelling and fluid accumulation in tissues.
43
What is hypoalbuminaemia?
A condition characterized by low levels of albumin in the blood. ## Footnote It can lead to various health issues due to reduced oncotic pressure and other functions of albumin.
44
What can cause hypoalbuminaemia?
* Liver cirrhosis * Nephrotic syndrome * Malnutrition * Burns * Analbuminaemia ## Footnote Each cause affects albumin production or leads to its loss in the body.
45
How does liver cirrhosis lead to hypoalbuminaemia?
Hepatocyte damage leads to impaired protein production.
46
What is nephrotic syndrome?
A kidney condition that increases the permeability of the glomerular basement membrane, leading to massive proteinuria and loss of albumin in urine.
47
How does malnutrition contribute to hypoalbuminaemia?
Lack of dietary protein prevents sufficient albumin synthesis by the liver.
48
What effect do severe burns have on albumin levels?
Severe burns cause capillary leakage, leading to loss of albumin into the interstitial space.
49
What is analbuminaemia?
A rare congenital disorder caused by a genetic mutation leading to almost complete absence of albumin.
50
What are the effects of hypoalbuminaemia?
* Oedema * Increased infection risk * Hyperlipidaemia * Shock * Delayed wound healing ## Footnote These effects result from the essential roles of albumin in maintaining oncotic pressure, immune transport, and tissue repair.
51
What condition can lead to hyperalbuminaemia?
Fluid depletion or dehydration.
52
What is a dye-binding method for albumin determination?
Bromocresol Green, which is known to slightly overestimate albumin.
53
What are some proteins produced in the liver?
* Albumin * A and B globulins * A-1-Antitrypsin * Haptoglobulin * Transferrin * C-reactive Protein (CRP) ## Footnote Y-globulins are synthesized by plasma cells and B cell precursors.
54
What type of inhibitor is A-1-Antitrypsin?
Serine protease inhibitor (serpin)
55
Which enzyme does A-1-Antitrypsin inactivate?
Leucocyte elastase
56
What condition can result from A-1-Antitrypsin deficiency?
Emphysema
57
Where is A-1-Antitrypsin synthesized?
In the liver
58
What is the risk associated with A-1-Antitrypsin deficiency?
Increased risk of emphysema
59
What lifestyle factor increases the risk associated with A-1-Antitrypsin deficiency?
Smoking
60
What is the major function of Haptoglobin?
Binds free haemoglobin
61
Where is Haptoglobin synthesized?
In the liver
62
What condition is Haptoglobin associated with?
Intravascular haemolysis
63
What happens to Haptoglobin levels during intravascular haemolysis?
Sudden drop in levels
64
When does haematuria occur in relation to Haptoglobin?
Once Haptoglobin is depleted in IVH
65
In which conditions is Haptoglobin decreased?
Most forms of liver disease
66
What is the major role of Transferrin?
Transport protein for iron
67
What are the two main destinations for the iron transported by Transferrin?
* To cells for incorporation in myoglobin, cytochromes, haemoglobin * To liver for storage
68
What type of protein is Transferrin?
(β-1 globulin)
69
Where is Transferrin synthesized?
In the liver
70
How is Transferrin used in the diagnosis of anaemia?
Trf increased in IDA and normal or decreased in anaemia of chronic disease
71
What happens to Transferrin levels in haemochromatosis?
Transferrin levels are increased and serum iron levels are increased
72
What is C-Reactive Protein (CRP)?
An early positive Acute Phase Reaction protein ## Footnote CRP is involved in the inflammatory response.
73
What does Acute Phase Reaction (APR) involve?
Changes in plasma proteins (↓ or ↑) ## Footnote APR is a response to inflammation.
74
What is the primary use of CRP?
As a biomarker of inflammation ## Footnote It is extensively used in clinical settings.
75
Where is CRP synthesized?
In the liver
76
What conditions cause a dramatic rise in CRP levels?
Stress & trauma, infection, inflammation, surgery, burns, neoplasms ## Footnote Bacterial infections cause more dramatic elevation than viral infections.
77
What are the basal levels of CRP?
Less than 10 mg/L
78
What can cause naturally slightly elevated CRP levels?
Mildly/chronic inflammatory conditions such as diabetes, periodontitis, smoking, obesity, pregnancy
79
What is the γ-globulin region associated with?
Immunoglobulins
80
What role do immunoglobulins play in the body?
Key role in defense mechanisms
81
How many types of immunoglobulins are there?
Five types: IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, IgE
82
When is the synthesis of gamma globulins increased?
In chronic infections, chronic liver diseases, autoimmune diseases, leukaemias, lymphomas, and various other malignancies
83
What is Hypoalbuminaemia?
A condition characterized by low albumin levels
84
What is Hyperalbuminaemia?
A condition characterized by high albumin levels
85
What is Multiple Myeloma?
A cancer of the immune system involving β-lymphocyte proliferation (plasma cells) ## Footnote Typically a disease of older patients.
86
What is over-secretion of non-functional immunoglobulin called?
Paraprotein
87
What are paraproteins referred to as monoclonal?
Because they are identical clones of a single plasma cell
88
What family of neoplasms does Multiple Myeloma belong to?
Monoclonal gammaopathies

Clinical Chemistry (26 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions