What is the purpose of fluoride in fluoride-oxalate tubes?

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Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of fluoride in fluoride-oxalate tubes?

Explanation:
Fluoride in fluoride-oxalate tubes acts as an antiglycolytic agent. After blood is drawn, cells continue to metabolize glucose, which would falsely drop the glucose level if the sample isn’t treated. Fluoride inhibits a glycolytic enzyme, slowing or stopping glycolysis so the glucose concentration remains stable until analysis. The oxalate part is the anticoagulant that prevents clotting. So the fluoride’s role is specifically to inhibit glycolysis, not to stabilize cells, promote clotting, or preserve RNA.

Fluoride in fluoride-oxalate tubes acts as an antiglycolytic agent. After blood is drawn, cells continue to metabolize glucose, which would falsely drop the glucose level if the sample isn’t treated. Fluoride inhibits a glycolytic enzyme, slowing or stopping glycolysis so the glucose concentration remains stable until analysis. The oxalate part is the anticoagulant that prevents clotting. So the fluoride’s role is specifically to inhibit glycolysis, not to stabilize cells, promote clotting, or preserve RNA.

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