CC1 and 2 COMPREHENSIVE REVIEWER (ALL IMPORTANT)

Plastic Wares
Polystyrene, Polyethylene, Polycarbonate
Polypropylene = USED IN PIPET TIPS.
Teflon = Most Chemically Inert Plasticware.
Major Disadvantage of Plasticwares = Breathing Capacity due to Presence of Plastic Pores.

Glasswares
Borosilicate = Most Commonly used in Volume Measurements and THERMALLY RESISTANT.
Aluminosilicate = Strengthened Chemically than Thermally and RESISTS SCRATCHING.
High Silica = Fused with Quartz and More Expensive than Borosilicate.
Acid-Resistant and Alkali-Resistant Glass = AKA SOFT GLASS.
Low Actinic = Red to Amber Colored Glass for Light-Sensitive Substances such as Bilirubin.
Soda Lime = AKA FLINT GLASS and CHEAPEST OF ALL GLASSWARES.
Coefficient of Expansion = Inversely Proportional to Thermal Resistance.
Borosilicate = Most Thermally Resistant = Low Coefficient of Expansion.
Soda Lime or Flint Glass = Least Thermally Resistant = High Coefficient of Expansion.
Kimax (Example of Borosilicate) = Strain Point of 513C.
Pyrex (Example of Borosilicate) = Strain Point of 515C.
Corex (Example of Aluminosilicate) = 6X Stronger than Borosilicate.

Pipets
To Contain = Contains a Particular
To Deliver = Drains by Gravity and
Volume but does not Dispense Particular
Design Dispenses the Exact Volume
Volume. AKA RINSED OUT PIPET
Indicated (Chemistry/Serology Pipets)
(Uses Mercury for Calibration)
Self-Draining = Indicated by Single
Drainage Blowout = With Double Rings, Frost and
Ring at Top and Allow to Drain by
Characteristics Etch. (With Graduations at Tip)
Gravity (No Graduations at Tip)
Measuring/Graduated Pipet =
Transfer/Volumetric Pipet = Measure and
Type Distribute Fractional Quantities of
Transfer Predetermined Volume of Liquid.
Liquids.

Air Displacement Micropipet = Most Commonly Used in Lab and has Pistons and Polypropylene Tip.
Positive Displacement Micropipet = Uses a Capillary Tip.

Anticoagulants
Stop Light Red, Green Light Go
S = Sterile or Yellow = Sodium Polyanethol Sulfonate = Bacteriology.
L = Light Blue = 3.2% Sodium Citrate = Coagulation Studies (PT, TT, APTT).
R = Red or Non-Additive = Serum Chemistries.
G = Green = Lithium or Sodium Heparin = Plasma Chemistries.
L = Lavender = Dipotassium or Tripotassium EDTA = Routine Hematology (CBC).
G = Gray = Sodium Fluoride and Potassium Oxalate = Glucose and Lactate Determinations.
Additional Info:
- Black Top = 3.8% Sodium Citrate = Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (Westergren Method).
- Dipotassium EDTA = Versene (Solid); Tripotassium EDTA = Sequestrene (Liquid).
Laboratory Safety
Via Public Law 91-956 or Occupational Safety Health Act.
Trash Bins:
- Red = Sharps and Broken Glass.
- Yellow = Infectious Waste and Syringe Barrels.
- Black = Dry, Non-Infectious Wastes and Papers.
- Green = Wet, Non-Infectious Wastes.
- Orange = Radioactive.
Fire Extinguishers:
- Class A = Ordinary Combustibles like Paper, Wood, Plastic = Use Pressurized Water or Dry
Chemicals.
- Class B = Flammable Liquid/Gases like Gasoline, Petroleum Products = Use Dry Chemicals
and Carbon Dioxide.
- Class C = Electrical Equipment = Use Dry Chemicals, Carbon Dioxide or Halon.
- Class D = Combustible Metals like Sodium = Use Special Dry Chemicals.
- Class K = Cooking Media like Fats and Oils = Use Wet Chemicals.
Chemical Hazard Symbol:

What will you do first in case of burns? Ans. Wash Burned Area with Cold Water.
What will you do when handling acids? Ans. Add Acid to Water.
What is the first thing to do in Acid Spills? Ans. Notify your Supervisor.

QC and QA
Precision = Reproducibility or Consistency of the Data/Values of an Analyte.
Accuracy = Exact/True Value of an Analyte.
Reliability = Ability to Maintain both Precision and Accuracy.
Sensitivity = Ability to Measure Smallest Concentration of Analyte.
Specificity = Ability to Measure ONLY the Analyte.
Mean = Average of Data Values.
Median = Arranging Values from Lowest to Highest then finding the MIDDLE VALUE.
Mode = Value with Highest Frequency.
Example = 3, 5, 5, 7, 7, 7, 9, 10 (Mean = 6.625; Median = 7 + 7 / 2 = 7; Mode = 7)
Example = 20, 24, 25, 28, 30 (Mean = 25.4; Median = 25; Mode = None)
Standard Deviation = Dispersion of Values from the Mean.
Coefficient of Variation = Standard Deviation / Mean.
Quality Assurance/Assessment = Overall Processes in Lab to Ensure Correct Results.
Quality Assurance/Assessment = Includes Preanalytic, Analytic and Postanalytic.
Quality Control = Checking to See if Analyzer is Producing Correct Results. (Only in Analytic Phase)
Calibration = Setting the Analyzer to Give Correct Results.
Matrix = Unpurified Analyte that Resembles Patient Samples.
Standard = Solution that Contains Known Amount of Analyte used to Calibrate Instruments.
Levels of Control = Normal Control and Abnormal/Pathologic Control. (Only 2 Controls)
Levey-Jennings Chart = Where QC Values are Plotted.
Trend = Gradual Loss of Reliability in Test System.
Shift = Abrupt Changes.
Outliers = A Value that Highly Deviates from the Main Values.
Westgard Rules = 12 (Warning Only, No Error Yet), 22 (Systematic Error), 41 (Systematic Error), 10
(Systematic Error), 13 (Random Error), 4 (Random Error)

First thing to do in Systematic Error? Ans. Reject the QC Reading and INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM.

Instrumentation
Electromagnetic Radiation (Light) = Photons of Energy Travelling in Waves.
Infrared = Wavelength is Above 700nm.
Ultraviolet = Wavelength is Below 340nm.
X-Ray and Gamma Ray = Shorter than 190nm. (Highest Frequency and Energy)
The Shorter the Wavelength, the Higher the Frequency, the Higher the Energy.
Wavelength = Distance of 2 Peaks or Trough.
Spectrophotometry = Measures Light Transmitted by a Solution.
Tungsten-Iodide Lamp = Most Common Light Source. (Visible Light)
Mercury Vapor/Xenon Arc Lamp = For Fluorometry. (UV Light)
Deuterium Discharge Lamp = For UV Light.
Hollow Cathode Lamp = For Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry.
Monochromator = Produces Light of Specific Wavelengths from a Light Source.
Monochromatic Light = Light Radiation of Specific Wavelength.
Prism = Most Commonly Used Monochromator.
Photodetector = Converts Transmitted Energy to Equivalent Amount of Electrical Energy.
- Barrier-Layer Cell/Photovoltaic = Least Expensive and No Need for Power Source.
- Photoemission/Phototube = Has Anode and Cathode and Needs a Power Source.
- Photomultiplier = Has Series of Anodes called Dynodes which Amplify Amount of Light Energy.
BEER-LAMBERTS LAW = -log (%T) or 2-log%T or A = abc.
- Where a = molar absorptivity (constant), b = optical light path (1cm), c = concentration.
- Therefore, Absorbance is Directly Proportional to Concentration.
Double Beam Spectrophotometry = Has Rotating Chopper, Sample and Reference Cuvettes.
Flame Emission Spectrophotometry = Uses Flame and Measures Group 1 Metals.
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry = Uses Hollow Cathode Lamp and Measures Group 2 Metals.
Fluorometry = Uses Mercury Vapor Lamp and Only Instrument that uses 2 MONOCHROMATORS.
Quenching = Main Problem of Fluorometry where Fluorescence Quickly Disappears.
Turbidimetry = Measures Amount of Light Absorbed/Loss of Transmitted Light.
Nephelometry = Measures Amount of Light Scattered and Only Instrument where Monochromator is
PLACED AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE.
Electrophoresis = Migration of Proteins in an Electrically Charged Medium Leading to Separation.
Osmometry = Measures Dissolved Solutes in Soln. (Dependent on GLUCOSE, UREA and SODIUM)
Refractometry = Measures Bending of Light.
Flow Cytometry = Uses an ARGON LASER BEAM and Involves HYDRODYNAMIC FOCUSING.
Chromatography = Separation of Constituents of Mixture and has a Mobile and Stationary Phase.
- Mobile Phase = Carries the Sample.
- Stationary Phase = Where Mobile Phase Flows and Sample is Separated.
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROPHOTOMETRY (GC-MS) = REFERENCE
METHOD/GOLD STANDARD FOR DRUG TESTING.
Potentiometry = Measures Cell Potential or Voltage.
Coulometry = Uses FARADAYS EQUATION and Principle of Amperometry. (Came out in Compre)

Carbohydrates
Glucose = Only CHO Utilized by Cells in Body.
HbA1c = Measures Mean Glucose Level within 3 Months.
Fructosamine or Glycosylated Albumin = Measures Mean Glucose Level within 3 Weeks.
Urine Microalbumin = Presence indicates Onset of Diabetic Nephropathy.
Diabetes Mellitus = Whipples Triad = Polyphagia, Polydipsia, Polyuria.
C-Peptide = Differentiates DM 1 (Absent) and DM 2 (Present).
Most Common Source of Error for Glucose = FAILURE TO SEPARATE SERUM FROM CELLS.
Bacterial Contamination = Also Falsely Decreases Glucose Levels.
Hexokinase = REFERENCE METHOD for GLUCOSE TESTING. (Uses Hexokinase and G6PD)
Glucose Oxidase = AKA Trinders Reaction. (Subject to Lots of Interferences)
Glucose Oxidase = Most Specific for Glucose. (Uses Glucose Oxidase and Peroxidase)
Mutarotase = Converts L-Glucose (Cannot be Measured) to D-Glucose (Measurable).
O-Toluidine = Only Chemical Method for Glucose.
Fasting = 6-8 hours.

Lipids
Chylomicrons = Least Dense, Lightest but is also the BIGGEST. (Like a Balloon)
HDL = Most Dense, Heaviest but is also the SMALLEST.
Lipoproteins = Lipids + Apolipoproteins.
- Chylomicrons = Composed of Triglycerides + Apo-B48, Apo-C2 and Apo-E.
- VLDL = Composed of Triglycerides and Cholesterol + Apo-B100, Apo-C2 and Apo-E.
- LDL = Comes from VLDL and Main Component is Cholesterol + Apo-B100.
- HDL = Composed of Proteins and Some Lipids + Apo-A1.
Apo-A1 = Activator of LCAT (Lecithin-Cholesterol Acyl Transferase) = HDL.
Apo-B48 =
Apo-B100 = LDL Receptor = LDL.
Apo-C2 = Activator of Lipoprotein Lipase = Chylomicrons and VLDL.
Apo-E = Found in Remnants = Chylomicrons and VLDL.
LDL = Bad Cholesterol = Liver to Tissues.
HDL = Good Cholesterol = Tissues to Liver.
Fasting = 10-12 hours.
Total Cholesterol and HDL = No Need for Fast.
Triglycerides and LDL = Requires Fasting.
Liebermann-Burchard = Green Color indicates Lipids.
Salkowski Reaction = Red Color indicates Lipids.
Total Cholesterol = TAG + LDL + HDL.
LDL = Cannot be Measured by Lab Methods.
Total Cholesterol = Measured by ABELL-KENDALL METHOD.
CHLOROFORM EXTRACTION WITH SILICIC ACID CHROMATOGRAPHY = REFERENCE METHOD
OF CDC FOR TOTAL CHOLESTEROL.
HDL = Measured by Precipitation + Abell-Kendall Method.
TAG = Measured by a Coupled-Enzyme Assay Starting with Lipase.
Friedewald Equation: LDL = TC HDL TAG/2.175 or LDL = TC HDL TAG/5.
Ultracentrifugation = Separates TAG, VLDL, LDL and HDL in that Order according to Density.
Electrophoresis = LDL (Betalipoprotein), HDL (Alphalipoprotein).
Beta-VLDL = Same Density with VLDL but Migrates Near LDL in Electrophoresis. (AKA Floating B-
Lipoprotein)
Lipid Stains = Oil Red O, Sudan Black, Fat Red 78.
Tangier Disease = Severe Form of Hypoalphalipoproteinemia (Lack of HDL).

Proteins
Liver = Site where ALL PROTEINS ARE SYNTHESIZED EXCEPT IMMUNOGLOBULINS.
Albumin = Maintains Colloid Osmotic Pressure (Oncotic Pressure) on Intravascular Fluid.
Edema = Results from Decreased Albumin = Plasma Leakage to Tissues.
Prealbumin = AKA Transthyretin = Transports Thyroid Hormones (T3 and T4) and also Vitamin A.
Alpha-1-Antitrypsin = Acute Phase Reactant = Neutralizes Elastase that can Cause Tissue Damage.
Alpha-Fetoprotein = Normally Present in Fetus but ABSENT in Adults = Presence in Adults indicate
HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA and GONADAL TUMORS.
Alpha-1-Acid Glycoprotein = AKA Orosomucoid.
Alpha-1-Antichymotrypsin = AKA Serine Proteinase = Acute Phase Reactant Synthesis.
Haptoglobin = Binds to Hemoglobin and Transports it to Spleen.
Hemopexin = Binds to Heme.
Ceruloplasmin = Copper Transport.
Transferrin = Iron Transport.
Alpha-2-Macroglobulin = Increased in Nephrotic Syndrome.
Beta-2-Microglobulin = Component of Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) or MHC.
Fibrinogen = Forms Fibrin Clot when Activated by Thrombin. (Not Seen in Serum but Seen in Plasma)
Complement = Proteins Linked to Immune Response.
C-Reactive Protein = 1st Acute Phase Reactant to Rise = Indicate Autoimmune Disorders
Myoglobin = For Muscle Oxygenation.
Troponin = Regulates Muscle Contraction.
Immunoglobulin = Only Protein Not Synthesized by Liver but by Plasma Cells. (IgA, IgG, IgM, IgE, IgD)
KJELDAHL = CLASSICAL METHOD FOR TOTAL PROTEIN DETERMINATIONS.
BIURET = MOST WIDELY USED METHOD FOR TOTAL PROTEIN DETERMINATIONS.
DYE-BINDING = MOST WIDELY USED METHOD FOR SPECIFIC PROTEIN DETERMINATIONS.
BROMCRESOL PURPLE (BCP) = MOST SPECIFIC DYE-BINDING FOR ALBUMIN.
Albumin/Globulin Ratio = 2:1.
Globulin = TP Albumin.