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Biology IB HL - D3 Functions of the Liver Part 3

Biology21 CardsCreated 19 days ago

This deck covers the structure and function of red blood cells, the role of Kupffer cells, and the causes and consequences of jaundice, as outlined in the Biology IB HL curriculum.

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What is the general structure of red blood cells and why?

In humans, red blood cells possess minimal organelles and no nucleus in order to carry more haemoglobin
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Key Terms

Term
Definition
What is the general structure of red blood cells and why?
In humans, red blood cells possess minimal organelles and no nucleus in order to carry more haemoglobin
What is the consequence of red blood cells being so highly specialised?
Consequently, red blood cells have a short lifespan (~120 days) and must be constantly replaced
What are the recycled components of red blood cells used for?
These components are used to make either new red blood cells or other important compounds (e.g. bile)
What are Kupffer cells?
Kupffer cells are specialised phagocytes within the liver which engulf red blood cells and break them down
What do Kupffer cells break down and what are they broken down into?
Kupffer cells break down haemoglobin into globin and iron-containing heme groups
How is globin recycled?
Globin is digested by peptidases to produce amino acids (which are either recycled or metabolised by the liver)
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Biology IB HL - D3 Functions of the Liver Part 3
TermDefinition
What is the general structure of red blood cells and why?
In humans, red blood cells possess minimal organelles and no nucleus in order to carry more haemoglobin
What is the consequence of red blood cells being so highly specialised?
Consequently, red blood cells have a short lifespan (~120 days) and must be constantly replaced
What are the recycled components of red blood cells used for?
These components are used to make either new red blood cells or other important compounds (e.g. bile)
What are Kupffer cells?
Kupffer cells are specialised phagocytes within the liver which engulf red blood cells and break them down
What do Kupffer cells break down and what are they broken down into?
Kupffer cells break down haemoglobin into globin and iron-containing heme groups
How is globin recycled?
Globin is digested by peptidases to produce amino acids (which are either recycled or metabolised by the liver)
How are heme groups recyled?
Heme groups are broken down into iron and bilirubin (bile pigment)
What must be done to the released iron? (RBC recycling)
The released iron must be complexed within a protein in order to avoid oxidation to a ferric state
What can be done to the iron produced by the recycling of RBC? 2
Iron can be stored by the liver within a protein shell of ferritin Iron can be transported to the bone marrow (where new haemoglobin is produced) within the protein transferrin
What is jaundice?
Jaundice is a condition caused by an excess of bile pigment – bilirubin – within the body
Where is bilirubin produced?
Bilirubin is produced as part of the natural breakdown of haemoglobin by the liver
How does the liver usually deal with bilirubin?
Normally, the liver conjugates this bilirubin to other chemicals and then secretes it in bile
What happens if there's an excess of bilirubin?
When there is an excess of bilirubin, it may leak out into surrounding tissue fluids
What may cause jaundice? (general)
Jaundice may be caused by any condition which impairs the natural breakdown of red blood cells
What are 3 general causes of jaundice?
liver disease obstruction of the gall bladder damage to red blood cells
How may liver disease cause jaundice?
impaired removal of bilirubin by the liver may cause levels to build within the body
How may obstruction of the gall bladder lead to jaundice?
preventing the secretion of bile will cause bilirubin levels to accumulate
How may damage to red blood cells?
increased destruction of erythrocytes (e.g. anemia) will cause bilirubin levels to rise
What is the main consequence of jaundice?
The main consequence of jaundice is a yellowish discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes (sclera)
What are other common symptoms of jaundice?
Other common symptoms include itchiness, paler than usual stools and darkened urine
How may jaundice be resolved?
Jaundice may be resolved by treating the underlying cause for the build up of bilirubin within the body