Albumin

Definition

Albumin is the most abundant protein in blood plasma, playing a crucial role in maintaining osmotic pressure and transporting hormones, fatty acids, and other substances throughout the body. It is synthesized in the liver and helps to keep fluid from leaking out of blood vessels.

Related terms

Osmotic Pressure:

The force that water exerts as it moves across a semipermeable membrane, influenced significantly by proteins like albumin in blood plasma.

Blood Plasma:

The liquid component of blood where cells are suspended, consisting mainly of water, salts, proteins (including albumin), and other substances.

Edema:

A condition characterized by an excess of watery fluid accumulating in cavities or tissues of the body, which can occur when albumin levels are too low to maintain proper osmotic pressure in the blood vessels