Lecture 7: Liver Biochemistry

Question 1

Liver is a gland why?

Answer 1

Because it secretes several materials

Question 2

What is the most prevalent secretion of the liver?

Answer 2

Bile

Question 3

What are the functions of the liver?

Answer 3

Plays a major role in the metabolism of proteins, carbs and lipids.

Glycolysis takes place in the liver, as well as the krebs cycle, amino acid synthesis/degradation, and oxidative phosphorylation.

Contains extensive reticuloendothelial system for synthesis and breakdown of blood cells.

Liver cells metabolise. detoxify and excrete endogenous and exogenous compounds.

Excretion of water-soluble end products of metabolism (nutrients and toxins).

Secretion of digestive aids like bile acids.

Question 4

Where is the liver located?

Answer 4

Upper right quadrant, beneath the diaphragm.

Question 5

What is the structure of the liver?

Answer 5

Consists of 4 lobes divided falciform ligament
- Left lobe
- Right lobe
- Quadrate lobe
- Caudate lobe

Question 6

What is the parenchyma of the liver?
What % of the liver does it make up?

Answer 6

Hepatocytes, which make up hepatic lobules, which are 6 sided structures.
Hepatocytes make up 70% of the liver volume.

Question 7

What is the structure of a hepatic lobule?

Question 8

What important survival trait does the liver have?

Answer 8

It is regenerative and can regrow lost pieces of liver, unless fibrosis has taken place.

Question 9

The liver is a vascular organ, what supplies the blood to it?

Question 10

What is the portal triad of the liver?

Question 11

Name some functions of the liver.

Answer 11

Protein synthesis and degradation

Hormone inactivation

Drug metabolism

Immunological function

Bilirubin metabolism

Accessory organ for the digestive system:
- Carbohydrate metabolism
- Lipid metabolism
- Bile acid metabolism

Question 12

What are the 4 classes of liver function?

Answer 12

1. Excretion
2. Synthesis
3. Detoxification
4. Storage

Question 13

Excretory system in the liver consists of?s

Question 14

Synthesis in the liver consists of?

Question 15

Detoxification in the liver consists of?

Question 16

Storage in the liver consists of?

Question 17

What is the bilirubin metabolism pathway?

Question 18

What are the three branches of hyperbilirubinemia aetimology?

Question 19

What are the three branches of hyperbilirubinemia etymology?

Question 20

Give an example of a pre-hepatic cause of jaundice.

Answer 20

An increased production of bilirubin, most often from excessive haemolysis.

Question 21

Give an example of a post-hepatic cause of jaundice.

Question 22

Give an example of an intra-hepatic cause of jaundice.