Albumin

Definition
noun, plural: albumins
(1) (biochemistry) The water-soluble protein found in egg white, blood, lymph, tissues and other fluids.
(2) The major plasma protein responsible for the plasma colloidal osmotic pressure. Its role is to transport protein carrying large organic anions (e.g. fatty acids, bilirubin, and many drugs), certain hormones (e.g. cortisol and thyroxine), when the specific binding globulins are saturated.
Supplement
The serum albumin is synthesized in the liver. Low serum levels occur in protein malnutrition, active inflammation and serious hepatic and renal disease.
Word origin: Latin albūmen, from albus, white
Variant: albumen

New Zealand’s Unique Flora

If New Zealand has lots of unique animals, it's also got a whole lot of unique plants. Find out more about some of them,..

Soils

Nutrients in the soil are essential to the proper growth of a land plant. This tutorial deals with the properties of soi..

Peppered moth ("Biston betularia") melanic and light form

Examples of Natural Selection

Darwin's Finches are an example of natural selection in action. They are an excellent example of the way species' gene p..

Water in Plants

The movement of molecules (specifically, water and solutes) is vital to the understanding of plant processes. This tuto..

"Cronopio dentiacutus", a prehistoric mammal (an illustration)

Mammalian Ancestors

Mammals are a diverse group of organisms, where most of them develop their offspring within the uterus of the mother. Ov..

Kidneys and Regulation of Water and Inorganic Ions

The kidneys are responsible for the regulation of water and inorganic ions. Read this tutorial to learn about the differ..

You will also like...