Metabolic and Excretory Functions of the Liver

Question 1

4 causes of lactic acidosis

Answer 1

Lack of oxygen in muscle tissue
Excessive muscle glycolysis
Impaired gluconeogenesis
ETC disorder

Question 2

Plasma proteins made in the liver

Answer 2

Albumin, transferrin, ceruloplasmin (transport)
a1-antitrypsin (protease inhibitor)
Fibrinogen (coagulation)
IgG (immune system)
C3 (complement)
Peptide hormones

Question 3

3 regulators of plasma proteins

Answer 3

Low oncotic pressure
Acute phase reaction
Estrogen

Question 4

Bilirubin

Answer 4

End product of heme metabolism
Produced mainly in RE cells from destruction of aged erythrocytes
Transported in blood bound to albumin
Free bilirubin would be toxic to cells
Metabolized only in the liver

Question 5

Hepatic metabolism of bilirubin (4 steps)

Answer 5

Uptake into hepatocytes
Intracellular binding to ligandin
Conjugation to glucuronic acid
Excretion into bile

Question 6

Intestinal metabolism of bilirubin (5 steps)

Answer 6

Enters small intestine via common bile duct
Glucuronic acid residues hydrolyzed
Conversion to urobilinogens
Reabsorption from intestine, mostly taken up by liver
Re-excreted by liver, eliminated in feces

Question 7

3 main functions of bile

Answer 7

Digestion
Excretion
Hepatic cell signalling