Group Work Questions Flashcards
Why would someone with impaired liver function have a very low serum albumin conc?
Because the liver is responsible for the anabolism of albumin
Why would someone with liver problems get oedema?
Because they have a lower oncotic pressure due to low serum albumin levels
Why might someone with a low protein diet be more susceptible to infection?
They have reduced production of immunoglobulins (antibodies
Why is feeding someone who has been severely malnourished protein rich food bad?
Protein is broken down into amino acids which are then broken into ammonia and keto acids.
Ammonia is toxic to the body, so is converted into urea by the liver. However the liver of someone who is malnourished is lacking the necessary proteins (enzymes) and is thus unable to convert ammonia into urea as a result there is a build up of toxic ammonia in the body