Biochem of the Liver Flashcards
where does the liver excrete unwanted molecules
into biliary tree and faecal excretion
name a plasma protein
albumin
why is faeces white in end stage liver disease
as liver not breaking down haem into bilirubin
how does the liver regulate metabolism
fuel storage- carbohydrate and lipid metabolism
urea cycle- amino acid metabolism
what does electrophoresis do
separates proteins by size
name the different plasma proteins
albumin, alpha gamma and beta globulins (gamma globlins= immunoglobulins)
what colour is plasma
straw coloured
what are the main functions of plasma proteins
maintain oncotic or collois osmotic pressure (maintains fluid balance across vessels walls)
transports hydrophobic substances
pH buffering
enzymatic
immunity
what hydrophobic substances do plasma proteins transport
steroid hormones, free fatty acids, bilirubin, cholesterol
give an example of the enzymatic actions of plasma proteins
blood clotting
what does albumin do
controls oncotic pressure ans transports hydrophobic substances
what do alpha globulins do (e.g ceruloplasmin)
transport lipoproteins, lipids, hormones and bilirubin
is a retinal binding protein , transports vitamin A
what does a deficiency in vitamin A cause
visual impairment
name two beta globulins and their functions
transferrin- transports Fe3+, indicator of iron deficiency
fibrinogen- inactive form of fibrin, clotting of blood
what is the most abundant plasma protein
albumin
what stimulates the production of albumin
insulin and nutrient intake
when are albumin levels low
liver disease or starvation
what is albumins affinity and capacity for hydrophobic molecules
low affinity but high capacity
what endogenous lipophilic substances does albumin transport
fatty acids, bilirubin, thyroid hormone