assimilation and functions of the liver

Question 1

define assimilation

Answer 1

process of incorporating and making use of digested food into the body

Question 2

what is the fate of monosaccharides

Answer 2

such as glucose are utilised by cells in respiration to produce energy in the form of ATP
if there is excess it can be converted into glycogen and stored short term in the liver and muscle cells
further excess converted into fat and stored in fat cells which from adipose tissue which is stored around organs and below skin

Question 3

what is the fate of amino acids

Answer 3

amino acids are taken from the ileum to the liver via hepatic portal vein
absorbed by cells and reassembled to make proteins which are used for growth in cell membranes and other living parts of cells
used to make hormones and enzymes
excess amino acids never stored but can be converted into glycogen or fat to be stored
excess amino acids also broken down in the liver in a process called deamination which produces urea
urea is then transported to kidneys to be excreted in urine

Question 4

what is the fate of fatty acids and glycerol

Answer 4

used in cell membranes and cell organelles
used in respiration to produce energy in the form of ATP
excess stored in fat cells and adipose tissue below skin and around organs
unlike glycogen there is no limit to how much fat can be stored in the body

Question 5

how are excess amino acids excreted

Answer 5

contain energy so would be very wasteful to excrete just as they are
so enzymes in liver split up each amino acid molecule
part containing energy is kept turned into carbs and stored
the rest which is the part containing nitrogen is turned into urea
this process is called deamination
urea dissolves in the blood plasma and is taken to the kidneys to be excreted
small amount is also excreted in sweat

Question 6

what are 9 functions of the liver

Answer 6

converts excess amino acids into urea and carbs in process called deamination
controls the amount of glucose in blood with the aid of hormones insulin and glucagon
stored carbs as polysaccharide glycogen
makes bile
breaks down old red blood cells storing iron and excreting remains of the pigments in bile
breaks down harmful substances such as alcohol
stores vitamins A B D E K
stores potassium
makes cholesterol which is needed to make and repair cell membranes