Which type of sample is most commonly analyzed using a spectrophotometer?

A spectrophotometer is an analytical device commonly used to measure the absorbance or transmittance of light in a sample, which is crucial in determining the concentration of specific substances within that sample. Blood serum is the most commonly analyzed type of sample with this instrument due to several reasons.

Blood serum contains a wide array of biomolecules, including proteins, hormones, electrolytes, and metabolites, all of which can be quantified and analyzed using specific wavelengths of light. For example, serum proteins can be detected using UV or visible light absorbance, facilitating important clinical assessments like liver function tests and protein electrophoresis.

Additionally, the clarity of serum, compared to other types of samples, allows for more accurate light transmission measurements. In contrast, other sample types, such as urine or saliva, might contain varying concentrations of substances and potential interfering components that could affect the reliability of the spectrophotometric readings. Tissue biopsies typically require more complex processing and may not be directly analyzed with a spectrophotometer in their native state, but rather in processed forms that may not lend themselves as well to the straightforward absorbance measurements that serum can provide.

Overall, blood serum is preferred due to its chemical composition, clarity, and the importance of the biochemical