Serum protein electrophoresis
Serum Protein Electrophoresis (pronounced: se-rum pro-tein e-lec-tro-pho-re-sis) is a laboratory test that examines specific proteins in the blood to help identify some diseases.
Etymology
The term "Serum Protein Electrophoresis" is derived from the following words: "Serum" (from Latin serum, meaning "whey"), "Protein" (from Greek proteios, meaning "primary" or "in the lead"), and "Electrophoresis" (from Greek elektro, meaning "amber", and phoresis, meaning "to carry").
Procedure
Serum protein electrophoresis uses electricity to separate the proteins in the serum of the blood into five main groups: albumin, alpha 1, alpha 2, beta, and gamma globulins. This is done in a laboratory setting using a process called electrophoresis.
Interpretation
The results of the test can help diagnose a variety of conditions, including infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. The test can also be used to monitor the progress of these conditions once they have been diagnosed.
Related Terms
- Albumin: The most abundant protein in human blood plasma.
- Globulins: A group of proteins in the blood, made by the liver and the immune system.
- Electrophoresis: The movement of dispersed particles relative to a fluid under the influence of a spatially uniform electric field.
- Serum: The clear, yellowish part of blood that remains after blood cells and clotting proteins have been removed.
See Also
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