Final answer:
Edema can indeed result from an abnormally low concentration of plasma proteins, as these proteins help to maintain the osmotic balance required for normal fluid distribution between blood vessels and body tissues.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, edema will result if a person has an abnormally low concentration of plasma proteins. Plasma proteins, like albumin, play a crucial role in maintaining osmotic balance within the blood vessels. When the concentration of these proteins is low, the colloid osmotic pressure decreases. This decrease allows water to move from the blood into the surrounding tissues, causing swelling known as edema. Conditions such as liver disease can lead to a reduced ability to produce plasma proteins, contributing to edema. Additionally, damage to blood vessels or renal failure that leads to the loss of proteins can also cause this excess fluid accumulation.
Therefore, having an adequate concentration of plasma proteins is vital for preventing edema, which underscores the importance of these proteins in fluid balance and the pathophysiology of various medical conditions that result in edema.