Measures mass-to-charge ratios to identify and quantify proteins and metabolites.
Sample is ionised (ESI, MALDI), separated by m/z, and detected. Tandem MS (MS/MS) sequences peptides. Quantitation uses isotope labels (SILAC, TMT). Used in proteomics, metabolomics and drug testing.
Sample prep (digestion, cleanup) is crucial. Data processed against databases. Quantification can be relative or absolute.
Key idea: MS identifies molecules by mass.
Measures mass-to-charge ratios to identify and quantify proteins and metabolites.
Mass Spectrometry is one of the 51 topics in Lab Methods & Biostatistics. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include NMR in Biology, Fluorescent Proteins, ANOVA.
Anti-doping labs use MS to detect steroids.
Work through the Beginner topics in Lab Methods & Biostatistics first, such as Scientific Method, Hypothesis, Variables, then return to Mass Spectrometry. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
The closest topics to Mass Spectrometry are NMR in Biology, Fluorescent Proteins, ANOVA, ELISA. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Mass Spectrometry. To practise the whole of Lab Methods & Biostatistics, use the Lab Methods & Biostatistics quiz.
Mass Spectrometry: Measures mass-to-charge ratios to identify and quantify proteins and metabolites. NMR in Biology: Nuclear magnetic resonance reveals structures and dynamics of molecules in solution. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with NMR in Biology and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Lab Methods & Biostatistics quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Nuclear magnetic resonance reveals structures and dynamics of molecules in solution.
📊 Lab Methods & BiostatisticsGFP and relatives let researchers tag and watch proteins in living cells.
📊 Lab Methods & BiostatisticsCompares means across three or more groups by partitioning variance.
📊 Lab Methods & BiostatisticsAn antibody-based assay that detects and quantifies proteins or antibodies in samples.
📊 Lab Methods & Biostatistics