detoxification Flashcards
(28 cards)
location of liver
Under rib cage, mainly on the right side of the body
role of liver
Maintains blood glucose levels
Produces ketone bodies, amino acids and other nutrients
Distributes cholesterol and triglycerides
Manufactured plasma proteins (albumin) and most coagulation factors
Makes bile
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Hepatic vein
nutrient levels moderated
Hepatic artery
conducting high o2, nutrient rich blood into liver
Portal triad
where blood enters, bile produced by liver is removed.
Hepatic portal vein
blood from gut into liver tissue
Hepatic duct
conducting blood away from liver tissue
Central vein
where blood leaves
Glucagon
causes the liver to release glucose
Insulin
causes the liver to store glucose as glycogen
Cholesterol
Cell membranes, hormones (progesterone and testosterone)
High density/Low density lipoprotein
LDL “bad cholesterol” - blocking blood flow etc.
HDL “good cholesterol” - moves away from these sites
Albumin
blood protein mainly responsible for maintaining blood osmolarity
Can also help transfer water-insoluble molecules
Coagulation factors
blood protein mainly responsible for wound healing
Fibrinogen, prothrombin etc
Damage results in a cascade of reactions, most of which involves proteins made by the liver
Amino acids
building blocks of proteins
Liver syntheses most non-essential amino acids
Liver also breaks down amino acids, repackages into urea
Ketogenesis
production of ketone bodies, controlled by a negative feedback loop. Lowers blood pH
pH balance
Livers respiratory activities have a large impact on blood pH
Performs this job along with the lungs and kidneys
Serotonin
multifunctional neurotransmitter, mainly released by the gastrointestinal system
Oxytocin
polypeptide hormone associated with maternal behaviour, love, attention and trust
Oestrogen
- primary female sex hormone
Testosterone
- primary male sex hormone
The Liver and Alcohol Clearance
- Normal metabolism produces small amounts of ethanol
- Acetaldehyde is toxic
- Series of steps to modify the molecule
- Acetate is released into the bloodstream.
- Broken down into CO2 and Water in muscle tissue
Destruction of pathogens and old RBCs
Blood coming from the gut is full of bacteria
Specialised cells in the liver can destroy bacteria and viruses
Bilirubin - Byproduct of the breakdown of old red blood cells
Removed by the liver into the gallbladder
most iron in the body is stored in the…
liver: carried in by ferittin, carried out by transferrin