5. Plasma Protein

Question 1

What is the normal amount of plasma proteins per 100ml plasma?

Answer 1

6-8g

Question 2

Where are plasma proteins made?

Answer 2

Liver

Question 3

Percentage albumin

Answer 3

60%

Question 4

Percentage globulins

Answer 4

18-30%

Question 5

Percentage fibrinogen and clotting proteins

Answer 5

4%

Question 6

Where are immunoglobins made?

Answer 6

Activated B lymphocytes

Question 7

Explain how proteins are separated from plasma

Answer 7

Electrophoresis
Agarose gels
Proteins separated according to size
Serum/plasma applied to a strip of agarose and electric current is passed through

Question 8

Name the 5 groups separated using electrophoresis

Answer 8

Albumin
a1-globulins
a2-globulins
B-globulins
y-globulins

Question 9

What is a biomarker?

Answer 9

Any substance that is used as an indicator of a biological state

Question 10

What does ELISA stand for?

Answer 10

Enzymed-linked Immunosorbent Assay

Question 11

Describe how ELISA is used

Answer 11

Coat of antibody at the bottom of well
Only the protein of interest binds
Add plasma and a different antibody
Detection antibody has colour which can be read
Use calibration curve to find out how much protein

Question 12

What are the functions of albumin?

Answer 12

Maintain osmotic pressure
Transport (binds to hormones and proteins)
Nutrition (source of amino acids)

Question 13

What causes albumin deficiency?

Answer 13

1. Protein malnutrition
2. Hepatocellular disease
3. Nephrotic syndrome
4. Thermal burns, skin disease
5. Acute/chronic inflammation

Question 14

a-1 Anti-Trypsin function

Answer 14

Inhibits protease and elastase

Minimises host tissue damage

Question 15

Haptoglobulin function

Answer 15

Binds free plasma haemoglobin

Question 16

What is the acute phase response?

Answer 16

Acute phase proteins increase or decrease in response to trauma

Question 17

What proteins increase in the acute phase response?

Answer 17

fibrinogen, haptoglobulin, C-Reactive protein

Question 18

What proteins decrease in the acute phase response?

Answer 18

Albumin, transferrin, antithrombin

Question 19

What is the function of C-Reactive Protein?

Answer 19

Binds to surface of dead or dying cells and activates complement system

Question 20

What happens with an excess of immunoglobins?

Answer 20

Multiple myeloma
Sharp spike in gamma region of electrophoresis results
Sharp increase in a single monoclonal immunoglobulin

Question 21

What is the function of fibrinogen?

Answer 21

Blood coagulation

Question 22

Where are compliment proteins made?

Answer 22

Liver

Macrophages

Question 23

What does decreased haptoglobulin levels imply?

Answer 23

Hemolytic anaemia