What is the role of albumin in the human body?

Albumin plays a crucial role in maintaining oncotic pressure in the human body. Oncotic pressure is essential for maintaining the balance of fluid between the blood vessels and surrounding tissues. Albumin is a major plasma protein produced by the liver, and its presence helps retain fluid within the vascular system, preventing edema and ensuring proper hydration of tissues. This function is vital for maintaining blood volume and pressure, which in turn supports adequate circulation and nutrient delivery throughout the body.

While albumin is involved in the transport of certain substances in the blood, its primary function is not as a transporter of glucose. Storage of iron is attributed more to proteins like ferritin, not albumin. Similarly, fat metabolism is primarily facilitated by lipoproteins and enzymes designed for that specific function, rather than albumin, which is predominantly involved in fluid balance and transport of smaller molecules. Thus, the maintenance of oncotic pressure is the defining role of albumin in human physiology.