Free Urine Analysis OCR A Level Biology revision notes – covering specification point 5.1.2 (f).
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Urine analysis detects and measures the presence of substances in urine that have passed through the kidney tubules without being reabsorbed.
Substances with a relative molecular mass (RMM) less than 69,000 can typically appear in urine, but an unusual concentration of these smaller substances can indicate renal dysfunction or another health condition affecting the blood.
Common Screening Tests
The table below outlines some common urinary screening tests:
| Screen for | Test for | Use | Technique | Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diabetes | Glucose | Screen/ monitor glycaemia | Dipstick glucose/ enzymatic |
|
| Glomerular damage | Protein/ albumin | Detect filtration barrier damage | Dipstick protein/ albumin or ACR | Larger molecules are allowed to pass through the filtration barrier. |
| Pregnancy | hCG | Pregnancy testing | Lateral-flow hCG (urine) | Small hormones are detected by monoclonal antibodies. |
| Recreational drugs | Drug metabolites | Workplace/ safety/ clinical screening | Urine immunoassay screen | Small, water-soluble metabolites. |
| Anti-doping (steroids) | Anabolic steroid metabolites | Ensure fair competition | Targeted lab screen | Small metabolites. |