The most likely cause for serum/plasma to appear 'milky' is the presence of which particles?

Prepare for the Bishop Clinical Chemistry Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

The most likely cause for serum/plasma to appear 'milky' is the presence of which particles?

Explanation:
Milky serum or plasma is lipemic, meaning there is a high concentration of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in the blood. Chylomicrons, formed in the intestine to transport dietary triglycerides, are the largest and carry a lot of triglyceride. When they are present in high amounts after a fatty meal, they scatter light and give the plasma a cloudy, milky appearance. VLDL also carries triglycerides but is smaller and usually doesn’t produce the same milky turbidity in a typical sample; LDL and HDL carry less triglyceride and are not responsible for the cloudy look. So, the milky appearance is most commonly due to chylomicrons.

Milky serum or plasma is lipemic, meaning there is a high concentration of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in the blood. Chylomicrons, formed in the intestine to transport dietary triglycerides, are the largest and carry a lot of triglyceride. When they are present in high amounts after a fatty meal, they scatter light and give the plasma a cloudy, milky appearance. VLDL also carries triglycerides but is smaller and usually doesn’t produce the same milky turbidity in a typical sample; LDL and HDL carry less triglyceride and are not responsible for the cloudy look. So, the milky appearance is most commonly due to chylomicrons.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy