Liver

Question 1

what is the function of the gallbladder?

Answer 1

it stores and concentrates bile made in the liver, releasing it into the small intestine

Question 2

what is the function of bile?

Answer 2

it is used in digestion to emulsify fats so they are easier to digest and absorb

Question 3

which cells produce bile?

Answer 3

hepatocytes

Question 4

what is the function of Kupffer cells (specialised macrophages)?

Answer 4

they break down haemoglobin into bilirubin

Question 5

what is glycogenesis?

Answer 5

the process of converting glucose into glycogen for storage

Question 6

what is the function of the liver?

Answer 6

it excretes waste products through bile production and secretion into the small intestine

Question 7

what are hepatocytes responsible for?

Answer 7

detoxification of toxins, protein synthesis, vitamin and mineral storage, bile production

Question 8

what is deamination?

Answer 8

the process by which an amino group is removed from an amino acid to form ammonia and a keto acid

Question 9

how is urea formed?

Answer 9

via the urea cycle, where ammonia and CO2 are converted into urea

Question 10

why is the liver so important?

Answer 10

eliminates metabolic waste by filtering and detoxifying harmful substances from the blood and excreting them through bile or urine

Question 11

how is the metabolism of carbohydrates involved?

Answer 11

converting glucose into glycogen for storage and releasing glucose into the bloodstream when needed

Question 12

what are large, endothelium lined spaces called?

Answer 12

sinusoids

Question 13

how are the lobules arranged?

Answer 13

in irregular, branching interconnected plates around a central vein

Question 14

which blood vessels enter and exit the liver?

Answer 14

enter: hepatic artery and portal vein
exit: hepatic vein

Question 15

what is the definition of digestion?

Answer 15

the removal of waste from metabolic processes

Question 16

what happens when CO2 levels increase?

Answer 16

blood pH decreases, making it more acidic. acidosis (hard to breathe, confusion)

Question 17

how does the liver regulate blood pH?

Answer 17

by producing and releasing bicarbonate ions, which help neutralise excess acids in the blood

Question 18

where is bile stored?

Answer 18

in the gallbladder

Question 19

which vitamins and minerals are stored in the liver?

Answer 19

A D E K and B12, iron and copper minerals

Question 20

how does HCO3- affect blood pH?

Answer 20

it diffuses out red blood cells into plasma. H+ increases acidity so more oxygen is released

Question 21

what are the primary components of bile?

Answer 21

salts, bilirubin, cholesterol, water

Question 22

what is the Ornithine cycle?

Answer 22

to convert toxic ammonia into urea so it can be safely excreted

Question 23

why must amino acid buildup be prevented?

Answer 23

it is toxic so must be excreted via urea in urine. they can increase the pH

Question 24

what are keto acids used for?

Answer 24

in the Krebs cycle for respiration or turned into lipids

Question 25

where are red blood cells synthesised?

Answer 25

in the foetus, bile, plasma proteins and cholesterol