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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of albumins in the body?
What is the primary function of albumins in the body?
Which of the following proteins carries copper in the blood?
Which of the following proteins carries copper in the blood?
What is the primary function of γ-globulins in the body?
What is the primary function of γ-globulins in the body?
What is the characteristic of antibodies that makes them useful for detection of antigens?
What is the characteristic of antibodies that makes them useful for detection of antigens?
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What is the percentage of solid matter in plasma?
What is the percentage of solid matter in plasma?
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What is the primary function of transferrin in the body?
What is the primary function of transferrin in the body?
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What is the average molecular weight of albumins in human plasma?
What is the average molecular weight of albumins in human plasma?
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What percentage of total plasma protein is represented by fibrinogen?
What percentage of total plasma protein is represented by fibrinogen?
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What is the main difference between α-lipoproteins and β-lipoproteins?
What is the main difference between α-lipoproteins and β-lipoproteins?
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What is the percentage of total plasma proteins represented by globulins?
What is the percentage of total plasma proteins represented by globulins?
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Study Notes
Serum Protein Analysis
- Plasma contains 8-9% solid matter, of which proteins comprise 85%.
- Proteins in plasma are classified into albumins, fibrinogen, globulins, nucleoproteins, and conjugated proteins (e.g., lipoproteins and glycoproteins).
Protein Composition
- Albumins:
- Represent over 50% of total plasma proteins
- Have a lower molecular weight (average 69,000 kDa in human plasma)
- Are more soluble
- Globulins:
- Represent 33-45% of total plasma proteins
- Have a higher molecular weight (average 156,000 kDa in human plasma)
- Are subdivided into α-, β-, and γ- fractions according to electrophoresis and other techniques
- Fibrinogen:
- Represents about 4% of plasma protein
- Has an average molecular weight of 450,000 kDa
- Lipoproteins:
- Are divided into high-density (α-) and low-density (β-) lipoproteins
- Contain 35-60% protein (in α-lipoproteins) and much less protein (down to 2% in chylomicra) in β-lipoproteins
Physiological and Biochemical Importance
- Albumins:
- Maintain osmotic pressure and blood volume
- Are administered in hemorrhagic shock
- Plasma proteins:
- Help maintain blood pH within narrow limits through buffering capacity
- Play a role in transport (e.g., lipoproteins transport cholesterol esters, phospholipids, and bilirubins)
- Globulins:
- Transport steroid hormones
- Provide a source of amino acids to tissues and have a rapid turnover
Immunoglobulins and Antibodies
- Immunoglobulins (antibodies) are made in response to the presence of a foreign substance (antigen)
- Antibodies have specific affinity for the antigen to which they bind
- Proteins, polysaccharides, and nucleic acids are effective antigens
- Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is the major type of antibody in blood
- Has a molecular weight of 150 kDa
- Contains two identical sites for antigen binding
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Description
Measure levels of total protein and specific proteins in serum samples and relate results to clinical situations. Familiarize yourself with the ELISA immunoassay technique used in clinical diagnostic tests.
