Thursday 19 August 2010

What Is Albumin?

Albumin is an umbrella term for a type of protein which is water soluble. Numerous types of albumin can be found all over the natural world, and two of the most familiar examples of albumin can be found in egg whites and in human blood. Albumins are an important class of protein, and they are vitally important to health and well being for many organisms. Many plants and animals contain or secrete albumin.

A protein classified as albumin is globular, meaning that it is soluble in water. Globular proteins also have a roughly spherical structure. When combined with water, albumin and other globular proteins form a colloid, a solution which appears homogeneous although it actually contains multiple substances. The other type of protein, fibrous protein, such as that found in muscles, is not water soluble, and it has a different basic structure.

Source: wisegeek.com

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