breakdown functions of the liver

Question 1

what are the four functions of the liver

Answer 1

-deamination
-detoxification
-production of biliverdin and bilirubin
-regulating glucose levels in blood

Question 2

explain the process of deamination

Answer 2

-the liver cells remove amino acids which results in the production of urea called deamination
-remaining amino acids are fed into respiration
-this results in the production of heat energy (ATP)

Question 3

explain the process of detoxification

Answer 3

-the liver cells remove poisons like alcohol by breaking them down
-drugs like paracetamol are broken down.

Question 4

how does the liver produce biliverdin and bilirubin

Answer 4

-the liver produces bile and the bile allows us to remove some poisonous by products from the metabolism
-liver cells breakdown and recycle red blood cells
-as the haemoglobin from the rbc are recycled, two poisonous chemical are produced called biliverdin and bilirubin. they pass into the bile and out of the body.

Question 5

how does the liver regulate glucose levels in the blood.

Answer 5

-glucose levels in the blood increase after a meal and insulin is secreted by the pancreas
-insulin acts on liver cells which remove glucose from the blood and convert in to glycogen for storage
-the liver restores normal levels of glucose and the regulation is done through a feedback mechanism