Biochemistry Autoanalyzer:
Definition:
A biochemistry autoanalyzer is an automated instrument that performs biochemical tests (like
glucose, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, etc.) on blood, serum, plasma, urine, or CSF with
minimal human intervention.
Types of Autoanalyzers
Type Description Example Tests
Requires manual sample & reagent pipetting.
Semi-automated Glucose, Urea, Creatinine
Operator loads and initiates.
Fully automated: sampling, mixing, incubation, Full liver, renal, lipid,
Fully automated
and reading are all done by the machine. cardiac profiles
Random Access Allows tests to be performed on any sample in
Urgent/emergency profiles
Analyzer any order
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Working Principle
Based on Beer-Lambert's Law:
“The absorbance of light is directly proportional to the concentration of the analyte.”
Each test generates a color change due to a chemical reaction between reagent and analyte. The
absorbance of the colored compound is measured at a specific wavelength using photometry.
Basic Steps in an Automated Analyzer
1. Sample aspiration – sample is taken up by a probe.
2. Reagent dispensing – reagent is added automatically.
3. Mixing – mixing paddle or vortex shaker mixes sample and reagent.
4. Incubation – temperature-controlled chamber ensures proper reaction.
5. Reaction monitoring – absorbance is measured using a photometer.
6. Result calculation – software calculates concentration.
7. Reporting – results are stored and printed/digitally transmitted.
Major Components
Component Function
Sample handler Aspirates blood/serum/plasma/urine samples.
Reagent system Holds and dispenses biochemical reagents.
Reaction cuvettes Where reaction between sample and reagent occurs.
Photometer Measures absorbance of the reaction product.
Incubator Maintains optimal temperature for reaction (usually 37°C).
Washer/cleaner Cleans cuvettes between tests.
Software/Computer Controls processes, stores data, and prints results.
Common Biochemical Tests Performed
Test Purpose
Blood glucose Diagnose diabetes
Urea & Creatinine Renal function tests
SGOT/SGPT, ALP Liver function tests
Cholesterol, Triglycerides Lipid profile
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Test Purpose
Electrolytes (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻) Electrolyte balance
Amylase, Lipase Pancreatic function
Total protein, Albumin Nutritional and liver status
Advantages
• High throughput (up to 1000+ tests/hour in large machines)
• Reduces human error
• Standardized & reproducible results
• Minimal reagent wastage
• Interfaces with LIS (Laboratory Information Systems)
• Can handle STAT samples (urgent testing)
Limitations
• Expensive initial setup and maintenance
• Requires trained personnel for troubleshooting
• Requires uninterrupted power and clean water supply
• Reagent shelf life & calibration dependency
• May give false results if sample is lipemic, hemolyzed, or icteric
Important Points for Exams (BMLT, RRB, DMLT)
• Autoanalyzers work on colorimetric principles.
• Most common detection wavelength: 340–700 nm.
• Reagents used are often enzyme-based (e.g., glucose oxidase, urease).
• Cuvettes are usually made of plastic or quartz.
• Calibrators and controls must be run daily.
• Autoanalyzer uses internal quality control (IQC) and external QC programs.
• Flags are used for abnormal or critical results.
• Cleanliness, reagent stability, and temperature control (37°C) are critical.
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Maintenance & Quality Control
Task Frequency
Cuvette cleaning After every batch
Reagent check Daily
Calibration Weekly or when new reagent lot is opened
Internal QC Daily
External QC (EQAS) Monthly
Biochemistry Autoanalyzer –
1. What is the main principle behind most autoanalyzers in biochemistry?
A. Centrifugal force
B. Beer-Lambert's law
C. Tyndall effect
D. Turbidity principle
Answer: B. Beer-Lambert's law
Explanation: Autoanalyzers measure light absorbance through solutions, and Beer-Lambert’s
law relates absorbance to concentration, forming the basis of spectrophotometry.
2. Which component adds the reagent in a fully automated biochemistry analyzer?
A. Mixer
B. Probe
C. Sample carousel
D. Incubator
Answer: B. Probe
Explanation: The probe aspirates and dispenses reagents and samples into the reaction cuvette.
3. What is the typical incubation temperature in biochemical analyzers?
A. 25°C
B. 30°C
C. 37°C
D. 50°C
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Answer: C. 37°C
Explanation: 37°C is used because it's the normal body temperature, ensuring enzyme activity
mimics physiological conditions.
4. What is the function of the photometer in a biochemistry analyzer?
A. Mixing reagents
B. Measuring absorbance
C. Incubating the sample
D. Rotating the carousel
Answer: B. Measuring absorbance
Explanation: The photometer measures how much light is absorbed by the sample after the
chemical reaction.
5. Which of the following tests is commonly performed by autoanalyzers?
A. Blood culture
B. ESR
C. Glucose estimation
D. CT scan
Answer: C. Glucose estimation
Explanation: Glucose is a routine biochemical parameter tested using autoanalyzers via glucose
oxidase/peroxidase methods.
6. Cuvettes used in autoanalyzers are usually made of which material?
A. Paper
B. Plastic or Quartz
C. Wood
D. Rubber
Answer: B. Plastic or Quartz
Explanation: Plastic is common in disposable cuvettes; quartz is used when UV light detection
is required.
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7. Why is random access feature important in autoanalyzers?
A. To reduce mixing errors
B. To process STAT samples quickly
C. To prevent evaporation
D. To avoid calibration
Answer: B. To process STAT samples quickly
Explanation: Random access allows urgent tests to be prioritized without waiting for batch
completion.
8. Which component ensures proper mixing of reagent and sample?
A. Incubator
B. Sample probe
C. Mixer
D. Photometer
Answer: C. Mixer
Explanation: The mixer blends the sample and reagent uniformly to allow a complete reaction.
9. In fully automated systems, which process is NOT manual?
A. Adding reagents
B. Cleaning cuvettes
C. Sample loading
D. Data transfer
Answer: A. Adding reagents
Explanation: Reagent addition is fully automated in such systems, unlike in semi-auto
analyzers.
10. What is the primary use of calibrators in autoanalyzers?
A. Cleaning the instrument
B. Mixing the solution
C. Establishing standard curves
D. Maintaining temperature
Answer: C. Establishing standard curves
Explanation: Calibrators are used to plot standard curves to ensure accuracy of test results.
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11. What causes false readings in autoanalyzer tests?
A. Clear serum
B. Hemolyzed sample
C. Properly calibrated machine
D. Fresh reagents
Answer: B. Hemolyzed sample
Explanation: Hemolysis releases intracellular contents like potassium, interfering with test
results.
12. Internal Quality Control (IQC) is done to ensure:
A. Sample is labeled correctly
B. Accurate and precise results
C. Power supply is stable
D. Incubator is on
Answer: B. Accurate and precise results
Explanation: IQC checks that the analyzer is functioning within expected performance limits.
13. What does EQAS stand for?
A. Electronic Quality Analyzer System
B. External Quality Assessment Scheme
C. Equal Quantity Accuracy Standard
D. Environmental Quality Analyzer System
Answer: B. External Quality Assessment Scheme
Explanation: EQAS monitors inter-laboratory accuracy by comparing test results across labs.
14. What is the function of the reagent carousel?
A. Holds patient data
B. Stores control samples
C. Holds reagents for dispensing
D. Mixes samples
Answer: C. Holds reagents for dispensing
Explanation: The reagent carousel stores and rotates reagents so the system can automatically
pick them for testing.
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15. Which test is least likely to be performed by a biochemistry autoanalyzer?
A. Creatinine
B. ALT
C. CBC
D. Cholesterol
Answer: C. CBC
Explanation: CBC is done by hematology analyzers, not biochemical autoanalyzers.
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