As a Preliminary Step Before Performing the Assay, Some Competitive-Binding

Multiple Choice

As a preliminary step before performing the assay, some competitive-binding assays either adjust the pH of the patient sample or add an excess of a ligand that is similar to that being measured.Which of the following correctly describes the purpose for these preliminary steps?

A) to release ligands that are bound by endogenous proteins prior to analysis to allow measurement of the total ligand concentration
B) to stabilize ligands that are bound by endogenous proteins prior to analysis in order to prevent these ligands from interfering with free-ligand concentration measurement
C) to release ligands that are bound by endogenous proteins prior to analysis in order to remove these ligands and prevent interference with the concentration measured
D) to stabilize ligands that are bound by endogenous proteins prior to analysis in order to specifically measure the concentration of bound ligand only