Lab Practical 3 Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards based on the provided lecture notes, designed to help students review key terms and definitions for their upcoming exam.

Enzyme

The substrate on which enzymes act or the biochemical reaction in which they participate.

Isoenzyme

One of a group of enzymes with similar catalytic activities but different physical properties

Pyknosis

The presence of condensed nuclear chromatin in a degenerating cell.

Cation

A positively charged ion.

Anion

A negatively charged ion.

Anion Gap

A method that is used to evaluate a patient's acid-base status; the calculation is based on subtracting the sum of measured major serum anions (Cl− + HCO3−) from the sum of measured major serum cations (Na+ + K+). It helps identify disturbances in acid-base balance, particularly metabolic acidosis.

Edema

An accumulation of an excessive amount of watery fluid in cells or intercellular tissues.

Ascites

The accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal cavity.

Cholestasis

An arrest in the flow of bile; cholestasia due to obstruction of bile ducts is accompanied by formation of plugs of inspissated bile in the small ducts, canaliculi in the liver, and elevation of serum direct bilirubin and some enzymes

Bilirubin

Insoluble molecule derived from the breakdown of hemoglobin by macrophages in the spleen (unconjugated).

Acidosis

A pathologic decrease in the pH of blood or body tissues as a result of the accumulation of acids or a decrease in bicarbonate.

Alkalosis

A condition in which the blood pH is higher than 7.45.

Mean Platelet Volume (MPV)

The MPV, which is measured in femtoliters, is the mathematical average of the size of the individual platelets counted by the analyzer.

Plateletcrit

The plateletcrit, which is also referred to as thrombocrit, is a measure of the percentage of the total blood volume that is comprised of platelets.

Platelet Distribution Width (PDW)

PDW assesses variations in the size of the platelets.

Serology

The science or study of the immunological properties of blood serum.

Antibody Titer

Measures the amount of antibody present in the patient’s serum. Done by dilutions and measuring the lowest reaction and thus resulting in a titer. (often used in lieu of booster vaccinations)

What can cause inaccurate results?

Hemolysis, Chemical Contamination, and Improper labeling

Elisa Tests

Identifies antigens and antibodies to specific parasites

Major Cross Matching

Recipient Serum + Donor Cells

Minor Cross Matching

Donor Serum + Recipient’s Cells

PT

Prothrombin Time test that measures the time it takes for blood to clot.

aPTT

Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time, a test that measures the time it takes for blood to clot. It is used to assess the intrinsic and common coagulation pathways.

What top tube is used for coagulation testing?

Blue Top/Sodium Citrate

PCV can also be called

HCT

Thrombocyte can also be called

Platelet/PLT

How is kidney function measured in blood chemistry panels?

BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen), CREAT (Creatinine), Bicarbonate

How are electrolytes measured in blood chemistry panels?

Na (Sodium), K (Potassium), Cl (Chloride), CA (Calcium)

PHOS (Phosphorus) Mag (Magnesium)

How is the liver measured in blood chemistry panels?

ALT (Alanine Transaminase), ALP (Alkaline phosphatase), ALB (Albumin), TP(Total Protein), CHOL (Cholesterol), GLOB (Globulin), TBILI (Total Bilirubin), AST (Aspartate Transaminase)

How is the thyroid measured in blood chemistry panels?

T3 (Triiodothyronine), and T4 (Thyroxine)

How is the pancreas measured in blood chemistry panels?

AMY (Amylase), LIP (Lipase), and GLU (Glucose)

How are the proteins measured in blood chemistry panels?

TP (Total Protein), Albumin, Globulin, Lipoproteins

How are the hormones measured in blood chemistry panels?

Thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal gland, estrogen, progesterone,

testosterone

What are some types of blood chemistry panels?

Pre-anesthesia panel, Thyroid Panel, Comprehensive Panel, Liver Function Panel, Kidney Function Panel, Electrolytes

Creatine Kinsase Test

Test used to determine muscle damage

Creatine Kinase

• Produced primarily in striated muscle cells and to some extent in the brain

• one of the most organ-specific enzymes available for clinical evaluation

• CK leaks out of damaged muscles into the blood

• Cannot determine which muscle is damaged or the severity

• Artificial elevations – bleach, EDTA, citrate, fluoride, exposure to light, or delay in assay.

Cushing’s disease

Hyperadrenocorticism- too much cortisol produced due to a tumor in the pituitary gland (80-85% of dogs) or adrenal glands (15%-20% of dogs)

What can too much cortisol cause?

• Suppresses immune system,

• slows bone formation and calcium absorption,

• delays wound healing

• causes muscle weakness, thins hair leading to bilateral alopecia, excess GFR causes PU/PD, polyphagia, dyspnea, pendulous stomach.

What can you do to preserve plasma?

Refrigerate

What can you do to preserve serum?

Freeze

What is the best type of sample if you want to evaluate blood gasses?

Arterial blood sample

What electrolytes would be elevated as a result of hemolysis?

Chloride, Potassium, and Phosphate

What systems regulate acid-base balance?

Buffer systems counteract imbalance. Respiratory and Renal systems work to regulate pH

What are the anions in plasma?

Chloride (Cl-), Bicarbonate (HCO₃ -) and Phosphate (PO₄ )

What is the role of Chloride in plasma?

Plays an important role in maintenance of water distribution, osmotic pressure, and the normal anion/cation ratio

What is the role of bicarbonate in plasma?

Kidney helps regulate bicarbonate levels

What is the role of Phosphate in plasma?

• More than 80% of phosphate found in bones.

• 20% or less has major functions.

• Energy storage, release, and transfer.

• Involvement in carbohydrate metabolism.

• Composition of many physiologically important substances

What are the Cations in plasma?

Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+), Calcium (Ca+++), and Magnesium (Mg++)

What is the role of sodium in plasma?

water distribution and body fluid osmotic pressure maintenance

What is the role of Potassium in plasma?

Important in normal muscular function, respiration, cardiac function, nerve impulse transmission, and carbohydrate metabolism.

What is the role of Calcium in plasma?

• 99% of Ca in the body found in bones.

• Remaining 1% or less has major functions in the body.

• Maintenance of neuromuscular excitability and tone.

• Maintenance of activity of enzymes.

• Facilitates blood coagulation.

• Maintenance of inorganic ion transfer across cell membranes

What is the role of Magnesium in plasma?

Activates enzyme systems

What is the primary acid-base buffer and what does it do?

Bicarbonate Buffer- binds to excess free H+ to form carbonic acid. Kidneys play role by secreting or reabsorbing bicarbonate

What is the normal pH of blood?

7.35-7.45

Ketones

are produced during fat metabolism and can be used as an alternative energy source by the body.

What decreases when fat is utilized as an energy source?

blood bicarbonate levels (acidity is increased, though)

Amylase Saccharogenic Test

Measures production of reducing sugars as amylase catalyzes the breakdown of starch. Not ideal for canines

Amylase Amyloclastic Test

Measures the disappearance of starch as it is broken down to reduce sugars through amylase activity

What tube is best used for amylase tests?

Grey tops (potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride)

Lipase tests

• Based on the hydrolysis of olive oil emulsion into fatty acids using the lipase present in serum.

• The quantity of sodium hydroxide required to neutralize the fatty acids is equal to lipase activity.

• New tests are available using immunologic methods.

• Highly sensitive in dogs and cats.

• Lipase more sensitive to detecting pancreatitis than amylase but not directly proportional to severity

Exocrine Evaluate acinar function

Amylase and Lipase. Serum feline pacreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI) and canine (cPLI)

TLI

radioimmunoassay that uses atnibodies to trypsin

Endocrine test

• Glucose

• Fructosamine (glucose bound to albumin) 2–3-week period

• Glycosylated hemoglobin (hemoglobin to which glucose is bound) 3-month period (similar to human A1C)

Exocrine (acinar) pancreas

The part of the pancreas that produces digestive enzymes such as trypsinogen, amylase and lipase, which are secreted into the gastrointestinal tract.

Endocrine pancreatic tissue appears as ___

Islet of Langerhans

What are the types of cells in islets of langerhans?

Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Pancreatic Polypeptide cells

What do alpha cells secrete?

Glucagon, which raises blood glucose levels.

What do beta cells secrete?

Insulin, which lowers blood glucose levels.

What do delta cells secrete?

Somatostatin, which regulates insulin and glucagon secretion.

What is the role of bile acid?

aids in fat absorption and modulates cholesterol levels.

Where are bile acids symthesized?

Hepatic cells from cholesterol

Where are bile acids secreted?

Across canalicular membrane and reach duodenum via biliary system

Where are bile acids stored?

In the gallbladder until needed for digestion.

Conjugated Bilirubin

Bilirubin that has been chemically altered in the liver to become water-soluble, allowing it to be excreted in bile. Elevated conjugated bilirubin may indicate bile duct obstruction.

Unconjugated Bilirubin

Bilirubin that has not yet been processed by the liver and is not water-soluble, making it unable to be excreted in bile.

What is the cause of a state of hypoproteinemia in an animal?

Loss of albumin

What does Albumin do?

Albumin is a protein that maintains osmotic pressure in the blood, helping to keep fluid in the bloodstream and transporting various substances such as hormones and medications.

Where does cholesterol come from?

Cholesterol is synthesized by the liver and obtained from dietary sources like animal products.

Alkaline Phosphate

• Present in osteoblasts, chondroblasts, intestines, and placenta and liver cells

• Used to detect cholestasis in small animals.

Gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT)

• Found in many tissues – primary source is the liver.

• Cattle, horses, sheep, goats, and birds have higher GGT than dogs and cats.

• Elevated levels in liver disease.

• Especially with obstructive liver disease.

which organ produces the majority of plasma protein?

liver

the majority of blood chemistry analyzers require which type of sample for analysis?

serum

which organ is the primary source of amylase production?

pancreas

which type of assay is commonly used to measure enzyme activity?

kinetic assay

which is the preferred enzyme test to confirm cholestasis in a dog?

AP

which test is used to differentiate between pituitary-dependent and primary hyperadrenocorticism?

corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulation

what type of cells make up about 80% of the islets of langerhans and are responsible for the release of insulin?

beta cells

levels of which of the following are functions of the total muscle mass of an animal?

creatinine

which measurement is directly related to the pH of the body?

acid-base balance

the veterinarian suspects cushings disease in an 8-year-old toy poodle. what type of test would be recommended to confirm this diagnosis?

low-dosage dexamethasone suppression test

which tests of hepatocyte function are the most sensitive indicators of liver function?

bilirubin and bile acids

which of the following is an insoluble molecule that results from the breakdown of hemoglobin in the spleen?

unconjugated bilirubin

which assay is sometimes used a screening test for hypothyroidism?

cholesterol

which is a type of enzyme with similar catalytic activities but different physical properties?

isoenzymes

what may occur if a serum sample is centrifuged at a higher speed or for a longer period than recommended?

hemolysis

which of the following test results will not be affected if a blood sample is collected postprandially?

BUN

which test would be run to assess intestinal malassimilation?

d-xylose absorption test

what type of cells make up about 20% of the islets of langerhans and secrete glucagon and somatostatin?

alpha cells

A technician is preparing a serum sample for the blood chemistry analyzer and notices that the serum has a yellow appearance. what would she report as an abnormal finding for this sample?

icteric

which plasma protein assay component comprises approximately 35% to 50% of the total plasma protein values in most animals?

albumin