Clinical Biochemistry Syllabus

Clinical biochemistry and quality assurance: biological samples (blood, urine and
cerebrospinal fluid): chemical composition, collection, processing, stability and storage;
serum separation; quality assurance; accuracy and precision; factors influencing the
accuracy of results. Blood: functions of plasma proteins (albumin and globulins);
Disorders of hemoglobin: thalassemia, anemia (different types) and porphyrias.

Clinical enzymology: Enzymes as diagnostic tool; Clinically important enzymes: alkaline

phosphatase, acid phosphatase, aldolase, creatine kinase, LDH, AST, ALT, lipase,
amylase and 5’-nucleotidase; isoenzymes and their diagnostic importance. Organ
function tests: Assessment of liver, kidney, exocrine pancreas and G.I. tract function tests.
Detoxification: Phase I and Phase II reactions.

Metabolic disorders: Disorders of carbohydrate metabolism: Diabetes mellitus,

hypoglycemia, ketone bodies, glycogen storage disease and galactosemia; glucose
tolerance test; disorders of lipid, lipoprotein and apo-lipoprotein metabolism.
Atherosclerosis: pathogenesis and risk factors; Disorder of amino acid metabolism:
phenylalaninemia, homocystineuria and related disorders; disorder of nucleic acid
metabolism; disorders of mineral metabolism; disorders of vitamins.

Hormone disturbances: disturbances related to the function of protein hormones and

hormones of hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid and steroid hormones. Electrolyte and acid
base balance: regulation of electrolyte content of body fluids and maintenance of pH,
disorders of electrolyte, water and acid base balance. Neuropsychiatric disorders:
Alzheimers & Parkinson’s disease.