AIIMS CRE, SNO-2024
Biochemistry and Nutrition
Easy
Anodic stripping voltammetry is primarily used to analyze which of the following?
Appeared in: AIIMS CRE, SNO-2024
Explanation
- Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV) is an electroanalytical method specifically designed for detecting trace amounts of heavy metals.
- The technique's high sensitivity comes from a preconcentration step where metal ions are deposited onto an electrode.
- In the subsequent stripping step, the metals are oxidized, and the resulting current is measured, which is proportional to the metal's concentration.
- It is widely used in environmental monitoring and clinical toxicology to measure metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option A: Amino acids are not electrochemically active in a way that is suitable for ASV. They lack the properties to be easily reduced and stripped from an electrode.
- Option C: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are substances that have a high vapor pressure at room temperature. ASV is an aqueous-phase technique and is not suitable for volatile substances.
- Option D: Carbohydrates, like amino acids, do not have the electrochemical properties required for analysis by ASV.
Related Visual
- Visual 1: Diagram - A schematic showing the two-step process of Anodic Stripping Voltammetry. It should illustrate the deposition of metal ions onto the working electrode during the preconcentration phase and their subsequent stripping during the measurement phase, along with a sample voltammogram showing current peaks corresponding to different metals.
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Analytical techniques for biochemical and environmental substances as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- Heavy metal poisoning (e.g., from lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium) is a significant health concern that can cause severe neurological, renal, and cardiovascular damage.
- ASV is a crucial diagnostic tool in clinical toxicology and environmental health for detecting toxic metal exposure in patients by analyzing biological samples like blood and urine.
- A nurse's role includes collecting patient history regarding potential exposures (occupational, environmental) and meticulously collecting blood or urine samples for heavy metal analysis, ensuring no contamination.
How to Approach the Question
- This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of laboratory analytical techniques.
- First, identify the technique mentioned in the stem: 'Anodic stripping voltammetry'.
- Recall the primary purpose of this specific technique. The name itself gives clues: 'voltammetry' relates to measuring current versus voltage, and 'stripping' implies removing something that was previously deposited.
- Evaluate the options based on your knowledge. ASV is a classic method for trace metal analysis.
- Eliminate the other options by recalling the standard methods used for their analysis: HPLC for amino acids and carbohydrates, and GC for volatile compounds. This confirms that heavy metals is the correct answer.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Analytical techniques for biochemical and environmental substances.
- Stem keywords: Anodic stripping voltammetry, analyze
- Lead-in keywords: primarily used
Question ID
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