What is the function of a serum blank in biochemical testing?

The function of a serum blank in biochemical testing is to provide a baseline for absorbance measurements. This allows for accurate assessment of the results by accounting for any background absorbance from the solvents and reagents used in the testing process. By measuring the absorbance of the serum blank, any contributions to absorbance that are not due to the analyte of interest can be subtracted from subsequent measurements. This ensures that the readings obtained reflect only the concentration of the substances being tested in the serum sample, leading to more reliable and precise results.

The other options, while related to important aspects of laboratory testing, do not accurately describe the purpose of a serum blank. Calibration of the spectrophotometer is essential for ensuring accurate measurements but is a separate process that involves adjusting the instrument using known standards rather than using a serum blank. Measuring total lipid content in serum pertains specifically to a different type of analysis that goes beyond the role of a serum blank. Eliminating interference from hemolysis is also crucial, yet it pertains to sample preparation and management rather than the baseline measurement function of a serum blank.