Free AACC Analytical Techniques Questions and Answers

Question 1

What is spectrophotometry used for in clinical chemistry?

Accepted Answer

Determining analyte concentration

Answer

Spectrophotometry is a fundamental technique in clinical chemistry used to measure the concentration of specific analytes in a sample. It works by measuring the amount of light absorbed or transmitted through a solution at a particular wavelength. The intensity of the absorbed light is directly proportional to the concentration of the substance, allowing for precise quantitative analysis of various chemical components.

Question 2

Which technique separates components based on size or charge?

Accepted Answer

Chromatography

Answer

Chromatography is a powerful laboratory technique used to separate mixtures into their individual components based on differences in their physical or chemical properties. Depending on the type of chromatography, separation can occur based on factors such as molecular size, charge, polarity, or affinity. This technique is widely used in clinical chemistry to isolate and identify various substances in complex biological samples.

Question 3

What does a calibration curve help determine?

Accepted Answer

Concentration of unknowns

Answer

A calibration curve is a fundamental tool in analytical chemistry used to determine the concentration of an unknown sample. It is created by measuring the instrument's response (e.g., absorbance, fluorescence) to a series of solutions with known concentrations of the analyte. By plotting these known concentrations against their corresponding responses, a standard curve is generated, allowing the concentration of an unknown sample to be interpolated from its measured response.

Question 4

Which method measures the emission of light from atoms?

Accepted Answer

Atomic absorption spectroscopy

Answer

Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is an analytical technique used to determine the concentration of specific metallic elements in a sample. While its primary principle involves measuring the *absorption* of light by ground-state atoms, it is a method that fundamentally interacts with atoms using light to quantify elements. The atoms are typically vaporized in a flame or furnace, and the amount of light absorbed at a specific wavelength is proportional to the concentration of the element.

Question 5

What is the principle behind electrophoresis?

Accepted Answer

Electric charge & size

Answer

Electrophoresis is a powerful laboratory technique that separates molecules, such as proteins or nucleic acids, based on their physical properties. The principle relies on applying an electric field across a gel matrix, causing charged molecules to migrate. The rate and direction of migration are determined by the molecule's net electric charge, size, and shape, allowing for effective separation and analysis.

AACC - American Association for Clinical Chemistry Certification Practice Test

AACC - American Association for Clinical Chemistry Certification Practice Test

Free AACC Analytical Techniques Questions and Answers