CL-4 Plasma proteins

What is plasma and what percentage of blood does it constitute?

Plasma is the clear, straw-colored fluid portion of the blood that constitutes about 55% of blood.

What are the main components of blood?

Blood consists of plasma (55%) and formed elements (45%), which include red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

What is the normal concentration range of plasma proteins?

The normal concentration of plasma proteins is 6-8 g/dl.

What happens to plasma when whole blood clots and the clot is removed?

The remaining fluid is called serum, which has a similar composition to plasma but lacks fibrinogen and certain clotting factors.

What is the role of albumin in the blood?

Albumin helps regulate colloid osmotic pressure and transports various substances, including fatty acids and hormones.

What can cause hypoalbuminemia?

Hypoalbuminemia can be caused by liver diseases, protein malnutrition, excessive kidney excretion, and certain genetic mutations.

What is the primary function of haptoglobin?

Haptoglobin binds free hemoglobin and delivers it to reticuloendothelial cells, preventing kidney damage.

Why might transferrin levels be decreased?

Transferrin levels can decrease due to liver disease, chronic infections, nephrosis, or congenital atransferrinaemia.

What are two main categories of globulins?

Globulins are divided into alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ) globulins.

What is the primary function of ceruloplasmin?

Ceruloplasmin carries 90% of copper in plasma.

How do plasma proteins help in maintaining blood viscosity?

Plasma proteins contribute to blood viscosity based on their molecular shape; elongated fibrinogen contributes more than ellipsoid albumin.

What is the main role of fibrinogen in the blood?

Fibrinogen plays an essential role in blood coagulation.

What is a potential clinical consequence of α-antitrypsin deficiency?

Deficiency of α-antitrypsin can lead to emphysema and liver cirrhosis.

What is the significance of a-fetoprotein (AFP) in pregnancy?

AFP levels are monitored because elevated levels can indicate neural tube defects, while decreased levels are associated with Down's syndrome.

What do elevated levels of C-reactive protein indicate?

Elevated C-reactive protein levels indicate inflammation and are markers for various inflammatory conditions.

What are the properties of plasma proteins related to their molecular weight?

Most plasma proteins have molecular weights ranging from 50,000 to 300,000 Daltons.

What is the function of plasma proteins in buffering?

Plasma proteins act as an important buffering system, helping to maintain acid-base balance in the body.

What can be concluded about hyperalbuminemia?

Hyperalbuminemia is primarily caused by dehydration, as there are no known clinical conditions that cause the liver to produce large amounts of albumin.

What is the significance of albumin in drug transport?

Albumin serves as a carrier molecule for transporting various substances, including drugs, in the plasma.

What is the role of plasma proteins in maintaining oncotic pressure?

Plasma proteins contribute to oncotic pressure, which helps maintain the volume of the vascular compartment and prevents fluid loss into interstitial spaces.

What are the main methods for measuring plasma proteins?

Plasma proteins can be quantitatively measured using chemical or immunological reactions and semiquantitatively measured by electrophoresis.