Plasma Proteins

Question 1

How many plasma proteins are produced in the body?

Answer 1

over 200

Question 2

What are the functions of the plasma proteins? (4)

Answer 2

1. part of the structural matrix of cells
2. enzymes
3. hormones
4. antibodies

Question 3

What are the 3 most important and largest plasma proteins?

Answer 3

1. Albumin
2. Globulins
3. Fibrinogen

Question 4

What is “total plasma protein”?

Answer 4

all plasma proteins added together

Question 5

What do “total plasma proteins” tell us?

Answer 5

good indicator of over all health

Question 6

What does a high total plasma protein level tell us?

Answer 6

can be high with chronic inflammation or infection

Question 7

What causes fibrinogen levels to increase?

Answer 7

inflammation

Question 8

What causes gamma globulins to increase?

Answer 8

infection

Question 9

What does a low total plasma protein level tell us?

Answer 9

can be low with liver disease

Question 10

Albumin

What is it and what does it do?) (3

Answer 10

1. An important protein produced by hepatocytes
2. Makes up 35-50% of total plasma protein level
3. Mostly used to transport things

Question 11

Globulins

What are they and what do they do?) (3

Answer 11

1. Second largest plasma protein fraction
2. Produced in the liver and by B-lymphocytes
3. Globulins have various functions

Question 12

What do increased levels of globulin indicate? (3)

Answer 12

1. infection
2. chronic inflammation
3. neoplasia

Question 13

Where is fibrinogen produced?

Answer 13

in the liver

Question 14

What does fibrinogen do?

Answer 14

involved in blood clot formation

Fibrinogen —> Fibrin

Question 15

How can you measure fibrinogen levels?

Answer 15

Measure in clinic by heating a microhematocrit tube to precipitate fibrinogen

Question 16

How much fibrinogen is found in the bloodstream?

Answer 16

3-6% of total plasma protein

Question 17

What do increased levels of fibrinogen indicate?

Answer 17

increased levels occur with inflammation, tissue injury