What is the difference between reagent blank and sample blank?

Answer 1

Reagent Blank : Take reagent and add deionised water (in place of sample to be tested). Now measure the OD at specific wavelength --> this OD is your reagent blank. Substract this OD from your test result (with sample) to avoid any false +ve effect due to colour of reagents itself.

Sample Blank : Take sample and measure the OD without adding reagents --> this OD is your sample blank. Substract this OD from your test result to avoid any false +ve effect due to colour and turbidity of sample itself. As it is the fact that colour and turbidity of each sample would vary from one to another.

So now it is clear that Reagent blank is used to avoid bias due to colour of reagents and Sample blank is used to avoid bias due to sample itself.