The Liver

Question 1

What are some of the functions of the liver?

Answer 1

Storage 
Regulation, synthesis and secretion
Purification, transformation and clearance 
Fighting infections
Metabolism

Question 2

What does the liver store?

Answer 2

Iron
Fat soluble vitamins
Glycogen

Question 3

How does the liver help with regulation, synthesis and secretion?

Answer 3

Makes plasma proteins 
Makes clotting factor 
Produce cholesterol
Controls levels of fats, amino acids and glucose in the blood 
Manufactures bile
Makes urea 
Produces heat

Question 4

How does the liver contribute to purification, transformation and clearance ?

Answer 4

Breaks down aged red blood cells
Processes hormones
Processes digested food
Neutralises and destroys drugs and toxins

Question 5

How does the liver help in fighting infections?

Answer 5

Specialised macrophages in the liver destroy any bacteria they come into contact with

Question 6

How does the liver help in metabolism of carbohydrates?

Answer 6

Glycogenesis- stores excess glucose in the form of glycogen and makes glucose from other sugars
Glycogenolysis- glycogen is broken down to release glucose
Gluconeogenesis- new glucose is formed from proteins and fats

Question 7

What is the liver used for in metabolism of protein?

Answer 7

Deamination- Urea formation

Trans animation- amino acids converted into other amnio acids that are needed for protein formation

Question 8

How is the liver used for urea elimination?

Answer 8

The liver breaks down amino acids in protein to ammonia, co2, water and energy
Ammonia is toxic to cells so the liver converts it to urea

Question 9

What is the liver made up of?

Answer 9

Cylindrical liver lobules

Question 10

What is in liver lobules ?

Answer 10

Millions of liver cells which carry out metabolic functions such as:
Kupffer crlls
Endothelial cells
Hepatocytes