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| globulin |
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What is it? |
any of a large family of proteins of a spherical or
globular shape that are widely distributed throughout
the plant and animal kingdoms. Many of them have been
prepared in pure crystalline form. The term globulin is
a partly procedural one, used in classifying an
otherwise diverse group of proteins that are soluble in
water or dilute salt solutions. Among the most
important are the immunoglobulins (Ig), the antibodies
of the immune system (see immunity). They are
classified into five types based upon structure: IgA,
IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM. IgG or
 -globulin is the most
common and forms about 70% of the immunoglobins in the
blood. Other globulins are involved in the transport of
a variety of substances, including lipids, hormones,
and inorganic ions.
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