The Liver Flashcards
Where does haem come from
haem is part of haemoglobin and myoglobin, it comes out of RBC and myoglobin degradation
Where are RBCs broken down
bone marrow
spleen
liver (Kupffer cell)
by macrophages
Describe the breakdown of haem to bilirubin
Haem > biliverdin (green) > bilirubin (orange)
by haem oxygenase and biliverdin reductase
Is unconjugated bilirubin water soluble or lipid soluble
lipid soluble
Is conjugated bilirubin water soluble or lipid soluble
water soluble
How does bilirubin travel in the blood?
bound to albumin as it’s lipid soluble
How and where is bilirubin conjugated?
In the liver by addition of glucoronic acid
What happens to conjugated bilirubin?
It is added to bile
Where does bilirubin come from
haem catabolism
What happens to conjugated bilirubin in bile once in the intestines?
Bacteria un-conjugate it to urobilinogen in the ileum/start of colon.
85% is oxidised (by other bacteria) to sterocobilin and excreted (brown pigment).
15% is goes back to liver, some is re-secreted into bile, some goes to kidneys & get converted to urobilin (yellow) and passed in urine.
Which enzymes are involved in alcohol metabolism
alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase into acetate
What are the metabolites of alcohol metabolism
ethanol > (acetaldehyde) ethanal > (acetate) ethanoate > CO2 + water (or combines with Acetyl CoA)
Where is alcohol absorbed?
In the stomach and small intestine
More in the small intestine when no food is present
Lipid soluble vitamins and their functions
Vitamin A (cognitive function/development)
Vitamin D (bone density)
Vitamin E (immune function & antioxidant defence)
Vitamin K (blood clotting)
Which of the protein is exclusively synthesized in the liver?
albumin
