Liver

Question 1

what are the blood vessels connected to the liver

Answer 1

• hepatic artery [oxygenated blood form the heart]
• hepatic vein [blood to the heart]
• hepatic portal vein [nutrient from the digestive system]

Question 2

what does deamination mean

Answer 2

the removal of the nitrogen-containing-part of the amino acids from urea (first ammonia is produced which is then converted to the less toxic urea)

Question 3

what are the roles of the liver

Answer 3

1. production of bile (emulsifies fat, regulates pH in duodenum)
2. storage of glucose as glycogen
3. control blood glucose levels in response to hormones, insulin and glycogen
4. deamination of excess amino acids and production of urea
5. aerobic respiration of lactic acid
6. removal of old red blood cells and storage of the iron they contain
7. breakdown of alcohol and other toxins (detoxification)
8. assimilation of amino acids: interconversion of amino acids by transamination and synthesis of protein, eg. plasma protein fibrinogen