Functions of the Research and Medical Lab Spectrophotometer
Many different types of medical analyses are based on the Lambert-Beer law of absorption. In a medical lab, a spectrophotometer is used for:
• Analysis of blood samples: It can separate different chemical components from blood or other fluids.
• Protein separation or protein electrophoresis: the color intensities of the separated components will differ depending on the amount of protein fractions from the serum. Lambert-Beer law is used to determine the proportion of different protein components from the blood.
A biological research laboratory uses a spectrophotometer to measure the concentration of certain substances.
• In molecular biology, the instrument is used to measure the growth of microorganisms like bacteria.
• Spectrophotometry is used to distinguish the various pigments such as the chlorophyll content of plant cells.
Types of Lab Spectrophotometers
Lab spectrophotometers are generally classified into single beam and double beam spectrophotometers. The single beam device measures the difference in light intensities between a reference and test sample. In the double beam model, the source of light source is divided in two, one illuminating the sample and one that does not go through it. So one beam has a reference sample with known properties, and the other contains the test sample. The Absorbance is measured as a difference in intensity of light transmitted and that which is not transmitted. The spectrophotometer model used will depend upon the type of test that has to be performed.
Purchase Quality Medical Lab Equipment
UNICO, an industry leader in scientific instruments, offers several models of reliable single and double beam spectrophotometers for medical and research facilities. A UNICO spectrophotometer serves a wide range of applications and is a valuable addition to any lab. Based on the functions they perform, the instruments are classified into various series such as the 1000 series, 1100 series, 1200, series, 2100 series and SpectroQuest UV-Vis. UNICO spectrophotometers provide the accuracy expected from precise optics. The 2100 Series features an expandable sample compartment for up to 100mm path length cells. The 2102 and 2102A SpectroQuest UV-Vis models expand lab applications to include Multiple Wavelengths, Scanning, Abs. Ratio/Difference, Kinetics, and Standard Curve.
All laboratory equipment should be purchased from a reliable dealer. An established lab equipment supplier would have a wide inventory of leading brands of all devices including spectrophotometers from UNICO.
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