Final answer:
The instrument used to separate red blood cells from serum in laboratory tests like glucose measurements is a centrifuge. Glucose levels are then measured using modern electronic gadgets that analyze the colorimetric reaction on a test pad.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a reference laboratory, the clinical instrument used to separate red blood cells from the serum for serum chemistry laboratory tests, including a glucose test, is a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins blood samples at high speeds, which results in the denser red blood cells separating from the lighter serum due to centrifugal force. The serum is then used for various tests, such as determining the levels of glucose in the blood. Glucose levels in the blood are measured using modern electronic gadgets that employ a colorimetric reaction triggered by a glucose oxidase reagent when a drop of blood is placed on a test pad.
The intensity of the color change on the test pad correlates with the amount of glucose in the sample, and instruments like a reflectance photometer or an amperometric system quantify this reaction to display a glucose concentration value. Serum is instrumental not only for diagnosing and monitoring diseases but also for tasks such as blood type classification. It is the portion of blood that remains after the removal of red blood cells and clotting factors, which can then be analyzed for various substances like lipids and glucose to assess health.