Clinical Chemistry

CLINICAL CHEMISTRY – defined as the study of biochemical processes associated with health & dse & the measurement of constituents in body fluids or tissues to facilitate dx of dse - dual nature since it’s both a basic and applied science thus clin chem. technologists & technicians should have an understanding of the physiologic & biochemical processes occurring in the body, as well as technical skills to perform the various tests - chemistry in connection with the management of patients, as in a hospital laboratory - application of chemical tests to health care, as in analysis of body fluid components.

SCOPE OF CLINICAL CHEMISTRY

computers biochemistry instrumentation

pharmacology endocrinology CLINICAL CHEMISTRY
Immunology toxicology

Analytical chemistry

CELLS – basic unit of the body, where most of the body’s chemical reactions occur

@ Composition: ➢ nucleus ➢ mitochondria ➢ ribosomes ➢ endoplasmic reticulum ➢ secretory granules ➢ cellular (plasma) membrane

@ the formation, growth, & functioning of cells require the presence of appropriate raw materials & enzymes & a readily available energy supply (

@ Malfunction: 1. destruction by trauma or by invasive agents 2. genetic deficiency of a vital enzyme 3. insufficient supply of one or more essential nutrients 4. insufficient blood supply 5. insufficient oxygen supply 6. malignancy 7. accumulation of waste products 8. failure of a control system 9. a defect in the cellular recognition of certain signals

ROLE OF THE CLINICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY: = most clin chem tests entail measuring the concentration of a particular constituent (the analyte) in body fluids, primarily blood plasma or serum = increased concentration could be caused by the ff: a.