Liver

Question 1

What are the 7 (main) functions of the liver?

Answer 1

Carbohydrate metabolism
Fat metabolism
Protein metabolism
Hormone metabolism
Toxin/Drug metabolism and excretion
Storage
Bilirubin metabolism and excretion

Question 2

Why is ferritin clinically important?

Answer 2

As concentration of ferritin is directly proportional to the total iron stores in the body.

Question 3

Name two common water soluble vitamins

Answer 3

Vitamins B and C

Question 4

Name four common lipid soluble vitamins

Answer 4

Vitamins A, D, E and K

Question 5

What impact does being water or lipid soluble have on required intake of vitamins?

Answer 5

Water soluble vitamins pass more readily through the body, therefore, require more regular intake than fat soluble vitamins (as they can be stored).

Question 6

Where is B12 stored?

Answer 6

Liver

Question 7

What clotting factors are produced by the liver?

Answer 7

Fibrinogen (I)
Prothrombin (II)
Factor IV 
Factor V
Factor VI
Factor VII

Question 8

What is lipogenesis controlled by?

Answer 8

Insulin levels (and sensitivity)

Question 9

What is the importance/function of drug biotransformation reactions?

Answer 9

To make the drugs water-soluble so they can be excreted in the urine

Question 10

What happens in phase 1 of biotransformation reactions?

Answer 10

Functionalization = Add or expose functional groups

This causes a small increase in hydrophilicity.

Question 11

What happens in phase 2 of biotransformation reactions?

Answer 11

Conjugation = Conjugation with endogenous molecules causing covalent bonds to form.
Causes a large increase in hydrophilicity

Question 12

Give an example of drug that does NOT undergo a phase 1 reaction and instead instantly undergoes conjugation.

Answer 12

Morphine

Question 13

Where in cells do biotransformation reactions mainly occur?

Answer 13

In the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)

Question 14

What is the purpose of Cytochrome P450 enzymes?

Answer 14

They oxidise the substrate and reduce oxygen and generate a reactive free radical compound.

Question 15

What builds up if there is in an excess of ethanol and what does this cause?

Answer 15

Acetaldehyde (which accumulates in the liver)
It contributes to alcohol-induced hepatitis by forming adducts with amino acids.
It also binds to glutathione and therefore predisposes cells to damage by peroxide and other free radicals.

Question 16

What occurs in Active drug to active metabolites reactions?

Answer 16

An active drug may be converted to another active form

Question 17

What occurs in a Pro-drug to active drug reactions?

Answer 17

An inactive drug or pro-drug may be converted to an active agent