Clinical Chemistry I

PURPOSE OF COURSE

This course is for fourth year (senior) students doing a degree in Medical Laboratory Science.  It should equip the students with the knowledge needed for analysis of the different biochemicals in the body and other chemicals introduced into the body. 

 EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course the students are expected to;

  1. Discuss the biochemical transformations in the human body, the malfunction of which can cause disease.
  2. Explain why certain biochemicals suggest the presence or absence of disease.
  3. Describe how major chemical analytical equipment is used in clinical chemistry lab.

 COURSE DESCRIPTION

Biochemical constituents of the human body such as lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, electrolytes, enzymes, acids/bases, will be studied and analyzed, to determine their characteristics, concentrations and their parameters compared to normal physiology and abnormal physiology or pathological cases. Assessment of organ system functions such as liver, cardiac, renal, gastrointestinal, and pancreatic function will be done.  Studies will also include theory of various tests and equipment selection.

 COURSE CONTENT

  1. Classifications and Descriptions of Proteins, Lipids, and Carbohydrates
  2. Clinical Enzymology; isoenzymes and isoforms
  3. Diabetes Mellitus – pathogenesis, complications, function tests, change of analyte in disease
  4. Coronary Artery Disease and Disorders of Lipid Metabolism
  5. Physiology and Pathophysiology of Body Water and Electrolytes
  6. Blood Gases, Acid-Base balance and their Disorders
  7. Renal Function – pathological conditions of kidney, renal function tests, change of analyte in disease.
  8. Liver Function – liver function alterations during disease, liver function tests, change of analyte in disease
  9. Alcoholism – biochemical and metabolic alterations, nutritional alterations associated with alcoholism and alcoholic liver disease; pathology:  systemic diseases of the alcoholic; change of the analyte in disease; biological markers of alcoholism.
  10. Gastrointestinal Function and Digestive Disease
  11. The Pancreas:  Function and Chemical Pathology