Which organ produces albumin?

• A. Liver
• B. Kidney
• C. Lungs
• D. Spleen

Answer: (A)

Albumin is produced by the liver, specifically by hepatocytes, and released into the bloodstream. The liver is the main site for synthesizing most plasma proteins, with albumin comprising a large portion of circulating protein. Its key role is to maintain the colloid (oncotic) pressure of blood, helping keep fluid inside vessels, and it also serves as a carrier that binds and transports various substances such as fatty acids, bilirubin, hormones, and certain drugs. If liver function is compromised, albumin production drops, lowering oncotic pressure and contributing to edema and potentially ascites. Other organs don’t synthesize albumin in meaningful amounts: the kidneys are involved in filtration and reabsorption rather than production, the lungs focus on gas exchange and surfactant production, and the spleen is mainly involved in immune function and blood storage.