Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Chem Path > Liver > Flashcards

Liver Flashcards

(60 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What is the largest internal organ in humans?

A

Liver

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the critical biochemical roles of the liver?

A

Metabolism, digestion, detoxification, elimination of substances

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How much does a healthy adult liver weigh?

A

1.2–1.5 kg

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What divides the liver into right and left lobes?

A

Falciform ligament

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the two sources of blood supply to the liver?

A
  • Hepatic artery (~25%): delivers oxygen
  • Portal vein (~75%): nutrient-rich blood from the GIT
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the main structural unit of the liver?

A

Lobules

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the two major cell types found in the liver?

A
  • Hepatocytes (80%)
  • Kupffer cells
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the primary function of hepatocytes?

A

Perform major liver functions and responsible for regenerative properties

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the role of Kupffer cells in the liver?

A

Engulf bacteria, debris, toxins, and other substances

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Name three metabolic functions of the liver related to carbohydrates.

A
  • Glycogen synthesis
  • Glycogenolysis
  • Gluconeogenesis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What proteins does the liver produce?

A
  • Most plasma proteins
  • Coagulation factors (except VIII)
  • Bile acids
  • Lipoproteins
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What substances does the liver store?

A
  • Glycogen
  • Lipid
  • Iron
  • B12
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the process by which the liver detoxifies bilirubin?

A

Conjugation with UDPGT to form water-soluble bilirubin diglucuronide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are primary bile acids synthesized from?

A

Cholesterol

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the two main types of bile acids?

A
  • Cholic acid
  • Chenodeoxycholic acid
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the first-pass effect in relation to the liver?

A

Substances absorbed from the GIT pass through the liver first

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the significance of the liver in drug detoxification?

A

Main site for biotransformation reactions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What are AST and ALT used for in liver function tests?

A

Detection of liver damage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Which enzyme is more liver-specific, AST or ALT?

A

ALT

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is the role of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in liver function tests?

A

Marker of biliary obstruction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What does increased gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) indicate?

A

Cholestasis caused by chronic alcohol or drug ingestion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What does a decrease in serum albumin indicate?

A

Decreased liver protein synthesis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What condition is associated with increased alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels?

A

Primary liver cell carcinoma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is the liver’s role in ammonia detoxification?

A

Converts ammonia to urea

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What is the main laboratory determination method for ammonia?
Based on the reaction that measures NADP at 340 nm
26
What are the causes of increased unconjugated bilirubin?
* Increased bilirubin production * Decreased uptake or conjugation * Hepatocellular dysfunction
27
What is the consequence of prolonged obstructive jaundice?
Formation of delta-bilirubin, which is not filtered by the kidney
28
What is the significance of urobilinogen in liver function tests?
Increased in hemolytic disease and hepatocellular dysfunction
29
What is the primary source of endogenous cholesterol production?
Liver
30
What are bile acids critical for?
* Emulsifying lipids * Excreting cholesterol * Absorbing fats and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K)
31
What is ferritin?
Stored iron form, ↑ in haemochromatosis (a genetic cause of cirrhosis) ## Footnote Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in the body, and its levels can indicate iron overload conditions like haemochromatosis.
32
How does the liver detoxify ammonia?
By converting it to urea, which is excreted by the kidneys ## Footnote This process is crucial for removing toxic ammonia from the bloodstream, especially in liver function.
33
What does plasma ammonia reflect?
The liver’s ability to convert ammonia to urea
34
What can cause ammonia accumulation in liver failure?
Inability to detoxify ammonia, leading to hepatic coma and disorientation
35
What is the most common lab determination of ammonia based on?
The reaction that measures NADP formed at 340 nm
36
What type of sample is preferred for ammonia analysis?
Plasma collected in EDTA, heparin, or potassium oxalate
37
What should be done with haemolysed samples for ammonia analysis?
They should be rejected for analysis
38
Why is prothrombin time commonly increased in liver disease?
Due to inadequate manufacturing of clotting factors or disruption of bile flow affecting vitamin K absorption
39
What is the gold standard of diagnosis for chronic liver disease?
Histology, usually from tissue obtained by percutaneous biopsy
40
What imaging technique is first-line for gallstones?
Ultrasound
41
What does elastography assess in liver conditions?
The degree of liver fibrosis
42
What signifies acute hepatocellular injury?
Increased ALT and AST, normal or mildly increased ALP, decreased protein production
43
What is jaundice?
Yellow appearance of skin and sclerae due to excessive bilirubin
44
When does jaundice become clinically visible?
When plasma bilirubin is >40 umol/l
45
What are the three classifications of jaundice causes?
* Pre-hepatic: excess bilirubin production * Intrahepatic: decreased uptake, metabolism & excretion * Post-hepatic: obstruction to bile flow
46
What are the expected lab results for pre-hepatic jaundice?
* Increased unconjugated bilirubin * Normal conjugated bilirubin * No bilirubin in urine * Increased urine urobilinogen
47
What is Gilbert’s Syndrome?
An inherited disorder leading to mildly increased levels of unconjugated bilirubin
48
What are the two types of Criggler-Najjar Syndromes?
* Type I: severe mutation leading to absent UDPGT I activity * Type II: milder mutation with reduced UDPGT I activity
49
What is the most common cause of acute hepatitis?
Hepatitis A and B viruses
50
What are the clinical features of acute hepatitis?
* Pre-icteric phase: flu-like symptoms * Icteric phase: jaundice, tender hepatomegaly * Recovery phase: prolonged fatigue
51
What does a high AST:ALT ratio indicate?
More severe acute disease affecting mitochondria or cirrhosis
52
What is the typical AST:ALT ratio in healthy individuals?
Usually < 1
53
What characterizes alcoholic liver disease?
A range of liver pathology from fatty liver to cirrhosis, with increased GGT and AST levels
54
What is Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)?
Includes NAFL (fatty liver without inflammation) and NASH (with inflammation)
55
What are symptoms of decompensated cirrhosis?
* Jaundice * Pruritus * Dark urine * Bruising * Fluid build-up * Abdominal pain
56
What are the signs of portal hypertension?
* Splenomegaly * Ascites * Varices * Caput medusa
57
What is the pathophysiology of gallstones?
Bile chemicals precipitate in cholestasis
58
What are the features of post-hepatic jaundice?
* Increased ALP and GGT * Plasma bilirubin is normal or slightly increased * Enlarged firm liver
59
What is the liver's role in metabolism?
Central role in carbohydrates, fats, and proteins metabolism
60
What are common liver function tests (LFTs)?
* ALT * AST * ALP * GGT * Bilirubin * Albumin

Chem Path (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions