Canadian Medical Guide > Chemicals and Drugs > Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins > Proteins > Albumins > Serum Albumin Terms and Definitions

Serum Albumin

Medical Definition:	A major protein in the BLOOD. It is important in maintaining the colloidal osmotic pressure and transporting large organic molecules.
Also Called:	Plasma Albumin

Serum Albumin Categories.

	Methemalbumin - A 1:1 molar complex of heme or hematin and albumin formed after the dissociation of methemoglobin into heme or hematin and globin in plasma. This complex, which imparts a coffee-brown color to plasma, occurs in hemolytic and hemorrhagic disorders. Its presence in plasma is used as a test to differentiate between hemorrhagic and edematous pancreatitis.
	Prealbumin - A tetrameric protein, molecular weight between 50,000 and 70,000, consisting of 4 equal chains, and migrating on electrophoresis in 3 fractions more mobile than serum albumin. Its concentration ranges from 7 to 33 per cent in the serum, but levels decrease in liver disease.
	Serum Albumin, Bovine - Serum albumin from cows, commonly used in in vitro biological studies. (From Stedman, 25th ed)

Serum Albumin Medical Definitions and Terms

CANADIAN MEDICAL GUIDE

Thank you for visiting Canadian Medical Guide .com

Wildlife On Video »

Canada's Great Outdoors
Tour Canadian Rockies »
Book Banff »
Book Jasper »
Maligne Lake Boat Cruise »
Gondola Banff »
Hike Jasper »
Jasper Columbia Icefield »