Albumin Functions Quiz and Flashcards: Learn Serum Albumin Roles

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Questions and Answers

What is the main function of serum albumin in the blood?

Regulating blood volume by maintaining the oncotic pressure

What are some molecules that serum albumin acts as a carrier for?

Lipid-soluble hormones, bile salts, unconjugated bilirubin, free fatty acids

In which conditions does serum albumin level decrease?

Physiologically in late pregnancy, pathologically in liver disease, nephrotic syndrome, burns, protein-losing enteropathy, malabsorption, malnutrition, genetic variations, malignancy, increased catabolism in fever, untreated DM, and hypertension

What is the principle behind using Bromocresol green as an indicator for serum albumin?

It changes color from yellow to blue-green when it binds to albumin Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal range of serum albumin in adults aged 20-60 years?

3.5 - 5.2 g/dl Signup and view all the answers

How does prolonged venous stasis or dehydration affect serum albumin levels?

They can artifactually raise serum albumin levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the main source of production of serum albumin in the body?

Liver Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using unhaemolytic serum or plasma for collecting specimens for serum albumin testing?

To ensure accurate results and prevent hemolysis Signup and view all the answers

What is creatinine and how is it eliminated from the body?

Creatinine is a chemical waste product in the blood that is eliminated by the kidneys in urine. Signup and view all the answers

How is creatine related to creatinine synthesis in the body?

Creatinine is produced as a waste product of creatine and creatine phosphate. Signup and view all the answers

What leads to a low level of creatinine clearance?

Abnormal kidney function. Signup and view all the answers

What factors determine plasma creatinine concentration?

Relative muscle mass, rate of creatine turnover, and renal function. Signup and view all the answers

What is the diagnostic importance of creatinine in evaluating kidney function?

To assess kidney function. Signup and view all the answers

How is creatine synthesized in the body?

Creatine is synthesized in the liver from arginine, glycine, and methionine. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of creatine phosphate in muscle tissue?

It serves as a high-energy source for muscle tissue. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between creatine phosphate and creatinine production?

Creatinine is produced as a waste product of creatine phosphate breakdown. Signup and view all the answers

How is creatinine eliminated from the body?

Creatinine is filtered by the glomerulus and excreted in urine. Signup and view all the answers

Why is daily creatinine excretion considered fairly stable?

Because creatinine is released into circulation at a stable rate proportional to muscle mass. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Serum Albumin

Serum albumin is the most abundant blood plasma protein, produced in the liver, and forms a large proportion of all plasma protein.
Regulates blood volume by maintaining oncotic pressure (colloid osmotic pressure) of the blood compartment.
Serves as a carrier for molecules of low water solubility, isolating their hydrophobic nature, including:
Lipid-soluble hormones
Bile salts
Unconjugated bilirubin
Free fatty acids
Maintains distribution of extracellular fluid.

Serum Albumin Levels

Serum albumin levels are rarely raised, except in cases of:
Prolonged venous stasis
Dehydration
Decreased serum albumin levels (hypoalbuminaemia) occur in:
Physiological late pregnancy
Pathological conditions:
Liver disease
Nephrotic syndrome
Burns
Protein-losing enteropathy
Malabsorption
Malnutrition
Genetic variations
Malignancy
Increased catabolism in:
Fever
Untreated DM
Hypertension

Serum Albumin Measurement

Normal ranges for serum albumin levels vary by age:
0-4 days: 2.8-4.4 g/dl
4 days-14 years: 3.8-5.4 g/dl
14-18 years: 3.2-4.5 g/dl
Adults 20-60 years: 3.5-5.2 g/dl
Adults 60-90 years: 3.2-4.6 g/dl
Specimen collection and handling: use unhaemolytic serum or plasma (EDTA, heparin).

Creatinine

Creatinine is a chemical waste product in the blood that passes through the kidneys to be filtered and eliminated in urine.
Creatinine is the chemical waste product of creatine, which supplies energy to muscles.
Abnormal kidney function leads to low levels of creatinine clearance.
Diagnostic importance of creatinine is to evaluate kidney function.

Creatinine Synthesis

Creatine is synthesized in the liver from arginine, glycine, and methionine.
Creatine is converted to creatine phosphate, a high-energy source for muscle tissue.
Creatinine is produced as a waste product of creatine and creatine phosphate.
Creatinine is released into circulation at a stable rate proportional to muscle mass.
Filtered by the glomerulus and excreted in urine.
Plasma creatinine concentration is a function of:
Relative muscle mass
Rate of creatine turnover
Renal function
Daily creatinine excretion is fairly stable.

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Description

Learn about the importance and functions of serum albumin, the most abundant blood plasma protein produced in the liver. Discover how it regulates blood volume by maintaining oncotic pressure and serves as carriers for molecules of low water solubility.