Physiology: the liver

Question 1

describe the regulatory roles of the liver

Answer 1

regulation of carbohydrate, lipid and amino acid metabolism

Question 2

describe the role of the liver in hormone metabolism

Answer 2

many important hormones are activated/inactivated by the liver

Question 3

what hormones are deactivated by the liver (4)

Answer 3

insulin, glucagon, anti-diuretic hormone(ADH) and steroid hormones

Question 4

what hormones are activated by the liver (2)

Answer 4

thyroid hormone activated to triiodothyronine(T3)

vitamin D activated to 25-hydroxyvitamin D2

Question 5

what is stored in the liver (4)

Answer 5

fat soluble vitamins, vitamin B12, Fe + Cu and glycogen

Question 6

what are the major functions of the liver

Answer 6

storage, synthesis of proteins, protection and detoxification

Question 7

describe how the liver has a protective function

Answer 7

production of immune factors and host defence proteins

Question 8

describe the production of bile

Answer 8

produced continuously by combo of secretion from hepatocytes and bile duct cells(cholangiocytes)

Question 9

what happens to bile between meals

Answer 9

stored and concentrated in the gall bladder

Question 10

what happens to bile during meals

Answer 10

bile spurts into duodenum from gall bladder via cystic and common bile ducts, mixed with bile from liver

Question 11

what does neutral/slightly alkali bile assist with (4)

Answer 11

micelle formation, neutralisation of chyme, pH adjustment and protection of mucosa