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Biology IB HL - D3 Functions of the Liver Part 2

Biology25 CardsCreated 19 days ago

This deck covers the functions of the liver, focusing on deamination, fat metabolism, detoxification, and plasma protein synthesis.

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What does deamination release initially?

Amino acid breakdown releases an amine group (NH2), which cannot be used by the body and is potentially toxic
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Key Terms

Term
Definition
What does deamination release initially?
Amino acid breakdown releases an amine group (NH2), which cannot be used by the body and is potentially toxic
What is done with the amine group formed by deamination?
The liver is responsible for the removal of the amine group (deamination) and its conversion into a harmless product
How is the amine group detoxified? What happens to it?
The amine group is converted into urea by the liver, which is excreted within urine by the kidneys
Apart from deamination, what other process relating to protein metabolism is carried out in the liver?
The liver can also synthesise non-essential amino acids from surplus stock (via transamination)
What is the liver the main site for, relating to fat metabolism?
The liver is the major site for converting excess carbohydrates and proteins into fatty acids and triglycerides
What types of lipids can the liver synthesise?
It is also responsible for the synthesis of large quantities of phospholipids and cholesterol
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Biology IB HL - D3 Functions of the Liver Part 2
TermDefinition
What does deamination release initially?
Amino acid breakdown releases an amine group (NH2), which cannot be used by the body and is potentially toxic
What is done with the amine group formed by deamination?
The liver is responsible for the removal of the amine group (deamination) and its conversion into a harmless product
How is the amine group detoxified? What happens to it?
The amine group is converted into urea by the liver, which is excreted within urine by the kidneys
Apart from deamination, what other process relating to protein metabolism is carried out in the liver?
The liver can also synthesise non-essential amino acids from surplus stock (via transamination)
What is the liver the main site for, relating to fat metabolism?
The liver is the major site for converting excess carbohydrates and proteins into fatty acids and triglycerides
What types of lipids can the liver synthesise?
It is also responsible for the synthesis of large quantities of phospholipids and cholesterol
What happens to the lipids synthesised by the liver?
These compounds are then stored by the liver or exported to cells by different types of lipoproteins
What is the role of LDL's?
Low density lipoprotein (LDL) transports cholesterol to cells, for use in the cell membrane and in steroid synthesis
What is the role of HDL's?
High density lipoprotein (HDL) transports excess cholesterol from cells back to the liver (for storage or conversion)
Are LDLs or HDLs considered 'bad' and why?
LDL is considered ‘bad’ as it raises blood cholesterol levels, while HDL lowers cholesterol levels and is therefore ‘good’
What happens to surplus cholesterol?
Surplus cholesterol is converted by the liver into bile salts, which can be eliminated from the body via the bowels
What type of toxins does the liver detoxify and why?
Many of these toxic compounds are fat soluble, making them difficult for the body to excrete
Generally, what is done to toxic compounds?
These compounds are converted into less harmful and more soluble forms, which are then excreted from the body
What is the first step in detoxification?
Toxins are converted into less harmful chemicals by oxidation, reduction and hydrolysis reactions
What mediates the first step of detoxification?
These reactions are mediated by a group of enzymes known as the cytochrome P450 enzyme group
What is the end product of the first step?
These conversions produce damaging free radicals, which are neutralised by antioxidants within the liver
What is done with the free radical/converted chemical produced by the first step of detoxification?
The converted chemical is then attached to another substance (e.g. cysteine) via a conjugation reaction
What is the purpose of the second main step of detoxification?
This renders the compound even less harmful and also functions to make it water soluble
What is the final result of detoxification?
The water soluble compounds can now be excreted from the body within urine by the kidneys
What are plasma proteins?
Plasma proteins are proteins present in the blood plasma and are produced by the liver (except for immunoglobulins)
What produces plasma proteins? What exports them?
The proteins are produced by the rough ER in hepatocytes and exported into the blood via the Golgi complex
What are 3 examples of plasma proteins?
albumins; globulins; fibrinogens
What is the role of albumins?
Albumins regulate the osmotic pressure of the blood (and hence moderate the osmotic pressure of body fluids)
What is the role of globulins?
Globulins participate in the immune system (i.e. immunoglobulins) and also act as transport proteins
What is the role of fibrinogens?
Fibrinogens are involved in the clotting process (soluble fibrinogen can form an insoluble fibrin clot)