Question

The Clinical application of potentiometry in a clinical laboratory

Answer 1

Answer:

As we know, there exist several positively and negatively charged electrolytic ions in human body environment, such as within cells, between cells, in the bloodstream, urine and other fluids throughout the body. Electrolytic ions with a positive charge include sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), lithium (Li+), magnesium (Mg2+), and etc., while some examples of the ions with a negative charge include chloride (Cl−), bicarbonate and phosphate, and etc. The concentrations of these ions in the human body remain fairly constant throughout the day in a healthy subject. Changes in the concentration of one or more of these ions can occur during various acute and chronic disease states and can lead to serious consequences.

Tests that measure the concentration of electrolytic ions are useful in the emergency room to obtain clues for the diagnosis of specific disease. Electrolyte tests are used for diagnosing dietary deficiencies, excess loss of nutrients due to urination, vomiting, and diarrhea, or abnormal shifts in the location of an electrolyte within the body. When an abnormal electrolyte value is detected, the physician may either act to immediately correct the imbalance directly (in the case of an emergency) or run further tests to determine the underlying cause of the abnormal electrolyte value. Electrolyte disturbances can occur with malfunctioning of the kidney (renal failure), infections that produce severe and continual diarrhea or vomiting, drugs that cause loss of electrolytes in the urine (diuretics), poisoning due to accidental consumption of electrolytes, or diseases involving hormones that regulate electrolyte concentrations.

Explanation:

Answer 2

The Potentiometer is an electric instrument that used to measure the EMF (electro motive force) of a given cell, the internal resistance of a cell. And also it is used to compare EMFs of different cells. It can also use as a variable resistor in most of the applications. These potentiometers are used in huge quantities in the manufacture of electronics equipment that provides a way of adjusting electronic circuits so that the correct outputs are obtained. Although their most obvious use must be for volume controls on radios and other electronic equipment used for audio.
The potentiometer consists of a long resistive wire L made up of magnum or with constantan and a battery of known EMF V. This voltage is called as driver cell voltage. Connect the two ends of the resistive wire L to the battery terminals as shown below; let us assume this is a primary circuit arrangement. One terminal of another cell (whose EMF E is to be measured) is at one end of the primary circuit and another end of the cell terminal is connected to any point on the resistive wire through a galvanometer G. Now let us assume this arrangement is a secondary circuit.