Question | Answer |
What are the six biochemical functions of the liver: | -Regulation of carb and lipid metabolis -Amino acid metabolism -Synthesis/Breakdown of plasma proteins -Storage of vitamins and metals -Detoxify medications -Excretory function |
State the location of the liver | Right upper quadrant, below the diaphragm and protected by rib cage |
What blood vessel supplies the majority of blood to the liver? | Portal Vein |
What two cell types line the sinusoids? | Endothelial cells Kupffer Cells |
What carb is the liver dependent on as a source of glucose? | Glycogen |
What two pathways allow the liver to get glycogen? | Glycogenolysis Gluconeogenesis |
What enzyme found in the liver allows for the dephosphorylation of glucose-6-phosphate? | glucose-6-phosphatase |
State the source of energy that fuels gluconeogensis | beta-oxidation |
What hormone supresses gluconeogenesis? | insulin |
What building blocks of protein are stored in the liver? | Amino acids |
What is the most abundant plasma protein synthesized by the liver? | albumin |
Name the protein whose blood concentration determines the synthetic function of the liver. | Plasma Alpha and Beta globulins |
what is an acute phase response? | A term which encompasses all of the systemic changes which occur in response to infection or inflammation. |
What is the source of ammonia in blood? | Catabolism of amino acids generates ammonia |
How is nitrogen waste of the body made soluble and excreted by the body? | the Urea cycle |
What is the main source of nitrogen in the blood? | Amino acids |
What biochemical molecule begins the urea cycle? | carbamoyl phosphate |
What medical condition can lead to encephalopathy? | inherited defects of any of the enzymes of the urea cycle can lead to hyperammonemia |
name the three molecules that contain heme in the body | -hemoglobin -myoglobin -cytochromes |
list the precursor of heme fored from glycine and succinyl-CoA | 5-aminolevulinate (5-ALA) |
list the components of heme in order they are used in formation | 1) 5-ALA 2) PBG 3) Uroporphyrinogen III 4) Coproporphyrinogen III 5) Protoporphyrin IX 6) Heme |
What is jaundice? | Yellowing of the skin |
How is bilirubin formed? | Catabolic product of heme. |
what substance gives fecal matter its brown coloring? | stercobilin |
List the two components of a total plasma bilirubin | unconjugated bilirubin conjugated bilirubin |
decribe the function of the liver in drug metabolism | the liver increases the hydrophilicity of drugs, making them able to be excreted |
Describe phase I of drug metabolism by the liver | Phase I: the polarity of the drug is increased by oxidation or hydroxylation catalyzed by a family of microsomal cytochrome P450 oxidases |
describe phase II of drug metaolism by the liver | Phase II: cytoplasmic enzymes conjugate the functional groups introduced in the first phase reactions, most often by glucoronidation or sulfation |
What family of enzymes participates in the two phases of drug metabolism | Cytochrome P450 genes |
What effect would liver disease have on drug metabolism and drug dosage? | Liver disease would impair drug metabolism, so drugs would have to be prescribed carefully. |
what tests are included in a "liver panel" | 1) bilirubin 2) albumin 3) transaminases: AST & ALT 4) alkaline phosphatase (ALP) 5) gamma-glutamly transferase (GGT) |
What is the biochemical involvement, cellular location and liver specificity of Alanine Transaminase (ALT) | - involved in the interconversion of amino and ketoacids - found in the mitochondria and cytoplasm - specific marker of liver disease |
What is the biochemical involvement, cellular location and liver specificity of Asparate Amino Transferase (AST) | -involved in interconversion of amino and ketoacids - found in the mitochondria - not specific for liver disease |
what two liver enzymes may be elevated in biliary tract obstruction (cholestasis)? | Alkaline Phosphotase (ALP) Gamma-glutamyl Transferase (GGT) |
What is hepatitis? | Inflammatory disease of the liver |
What is acute hepatitis? | Short, common infectious cases |
what is chronic hepatitis? | inflammation persisting for more than 6 months |