Final answer:
Albumin, or egg white, in the amniotic egg, provides the embryo with water for hydration, assists in gas exchange, and cushions the embryo against mechanical shocks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The function of albumin (egg white) in the amniotic egg is multifaceted. It serves as an essential water reserve for the embryo, providing a critical source of hydration. Additionally, albumin aids in gas exchange and offers a protective cushioning to the embryo, helping to mitigate the impact of mechanical shocks. It plays a crucial role in the overall development of the embryo, alongside other structures like the yolk, which supplies food, the chorion which facilitates gas exchange, and the amnion which protects the embryo within its fluid-filled cavity. The combination of these components, including the egg shell for those species that lay eggs, ensures the successful growth and development of the embryo in a terrestrial environment, distinguishing amniotes from their amphibian counterparts.