Question

ALBUMIN AND DIFFUSION
Please map out the relationship of albumin and its source and relationship to various properties in the body. Connect similar activities with lines. Use ALL of the terms provided.

plasma protein,   lymphatic system,   osmosis,   passive diffusion,    liver, osmotic gradient,   disease state(s),   vasa recta,   capillaries,   fluid,     veins,   cirrhosis, filtrate,   edema, circulatory system,   reabsorption,   highest concentration,   purpose, nephrotic syndrome, arteriole (hydrostatic) pressure, ascites, oncotic pressure

Answer 1

Ans. Albumin is the most abundant protein of the human blood plasma. It constitutes half of the serum protein. It is produced in the liver. It transports hormones, fatty acids, buffers and helps in maintaining pH. It helps in maintaining the oncotic pressure and plays a vital role in passive diffusion. Albumin is synthesized in the liver as preproalbumin which has N terminal removed before the nascent protein. During any hepatic disorders such as liver cirrhosis the production of albumin are greatly reduced thus it gives an indication about the improper functioning of the liver. Hypoalbuminemia is characterised due to protein leakage and uptake which is an indication of lymphoma or any other disorder to lymphatic system. Low albumin levels are associated with the improper vasodilatory functions of nitric oxide.