Biochemistry Plasma Proteins Essay Questions And Answers

Plasma Proteins

Question 1. Functions of plasma proteins
Answer:

Question 2. Albumin & globulin
Answer:

1. Albumin:

• It constitutes 60% of total plasma proteins
• It has a molecular weight of 69,000
• It consists of a single polypeptide chain of 585 amino acids with 17 disulfide bonds
• It is synthesized in the liver
• It has a half-life of 20 days

Importance:

• Binds to compounds & prevents them from crossing the blood-brain barrier
• Its concentration is lowered in plasma in malnutrition, nephrotic syndrome & cirrhosis of the liver
• It is excreted in the urine in nephrotic syndrome
• It is useful for the treatment of bum & hemorrhage

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2. Globulins:

• It constitutes several proteins that are separated by Electrophoresis
• They are alpha, beta & gamma globulin

Question 3. Explain the separation of plasma proteins by electrophoresis.
Answer:

• Electrophoresis is the most commonly employed analytical technique for the separation of plasma proteins
• The movement of charged particles in an electric field resulting in their migration towards the oppositely charged electrodes is called Electrophoresis

It depends on:

• Shape, size, net charge & solvation of the ions
• The viscosity of the solution
• The magnitude of the current employed

Method:

1. Paper or gel Electrophoresis is employed for the separation of plasma proteins
   1. Paper Electrophoresis
      • In this, first, the sample is applied on a strip of Whatman no. 1 filter paper with wetted with veronal buffer
      • The ends of the strip are dipped into the buffer reservoirs in which the electrodes are placed
      • Electric current is applied
      • The paper is removed, dried & stained with amido black or bromophenol blue
      • As a result, the plasma proteins are separated into five distinct bands namely albumin, alpha 1, alpha 2, beta & gamma globulins
      • The concentration of each can be estimated by a densitometer Gel Electrophoresis
   2. It involves the separation of molecules based on their size
      • Thus the movement of large molecules is slow in gel
      • Plasma proteins are separated into about 15 bands
      • Densitometer scanning

 

Question 4. Enumerate functions of albumin. Mention causes of hypoalbuminemia.
Answer.

Functions of Albumin:

• Maintains plasma osmotic pressure
• Transports various molecules
• Serves as a source of amino acids for tissue protein synthesis
• Has maximum buffering action

Hypoalbuminemia:

• It is lowered plasma albumin

Causes:

• Malnutrition
• Nephrotic syndrome

Question 1. Four functions of plasma proteins
Answer:

Question 2. What is transferrin? What is its function?
Answer:

• Transferrin is a glycoprotein
• Molecular weight is 76,000
• It is associated with beta globulins fraction
• It helps in the transport of iron in the circulation

Question 3. Functions of albumin
Answer:

• Maintains plasma osmotic pressure
• Transports various molecules
• Serves as a source of amino acids for tissue protein synthesis n Has maximum buffering action

Question 4. Give a normal pattern of serum protein electrophoresis.
Answer:

• The normal pattern of serum protein electrophoresis can be obtained by paper electrophoresis

Method:

• The sample is applied on a strip of Whatman no 1 filter paper wetted with veronal buffer
• The ends of the strip are dipped in the reservoir with an electrode
• Electric current is passed
• Paper is removed, dried, and stained with amido black or bromophenol blue

Result:

• Five distinct bands namely albumin, alpha 1, alpha 2, beta, and gamma globulins are seen