Transcript What are the functions of the Liver?

Liver Transplant
Pierre Png and
Andrea De Cruz
• Liver donated will
be regenerated by
the body
ASSIMILATION
Transport and use of absorbed
food by body cells
Food substances are converted to
new protoplasm and used to
provide energy.
3
After a hearty
meal….
in pancreas
When you are
fasting…
in pancreas
Protein formation
Amino acid as the
building blocks for
proteins
amino acids
Polypeptides
weak bonds
protein
6
Deamination of amino acid
What are we going to
learn today?
The 6 important functions of
the liver!
What are the functions of the
Liver?
1. Regulation of blood glucose
concentration
2. Protein synthesis
3. Metabolism (deamination) of amino
acid
4. Iron storage
Iron storage
• Worn-out red blood cells – destroyed in spleen (a
gland found near the liver).
• Liver breaks down the hemoglobin and stores the
iron.
• Bile pigments are also formed from the breakdown
of haemoglobin.
 Locate the spleen ! 
liver
stomach
spleen
gall bladder
pancreas
duodenum
kidney
small intestines
What are the functions of the
Liver?
1. Regulation of blood glucose
concentration
2. Protein synthesis
3. Metabolism (deamination) of amino
acid
4. Iron storage
5. Production of bile
How about fatty
acids and glycerol??
Liver secretes bile salts.
Fatty acid
R
COOH
It has an acidic group (-COOH)
linked to a long hydrocarbon chain
denoted by R.
How are fatty
acids are
transported?
Fatty acids and glycerol
recombines and
diffuse into
lymph vessels
Lymphatic system
Circulatory system
Liver
How are fatty acids (from fats)
utilized?
• least to be broken down
• converted by the liver, to forms that can
be oxidised and stored
• used to build protoplasm (e.g. in cell
membrane)
adipocytes
adipocytes
What are the functions of the
Liver?
1. Regulation of blood glucose
concentration
2. Protein synthesis
3. Metabolism (deamination) of amino
acid
4. Iron storage
5. Production of bile
6. Detoxification (breakdown of alcohol)
Detoxification
• Is the process where harmful substances are
converted into harmless ones
• Alcohol is broken down by alcohol
dehydrogenase (an enzyme) to give
acetaldehyde (a compound)
• Acetaldehyde can be broken down further during
respiration to provide energy for cellular activities
Class Activity
Effects of excessive consumption of Alcohol
Nervous system
Addictive ( strong desire
to drink alcohol)
Depressant (slow down
function of the brain
loss of muscular control,
slow down reaction time
and poor judgment 
high accident rates in
drunk drivers
reduced self-control
Effects of excessive consumption of Alcohol
Stomach ulcer
Alcohol stimulates
secretion of acid in
stomach and causes
irritation of its wall
Effects of excessive consumption of Alcohol
Circulatory system
Dilation of blood
capillaries under the
skin:
more blood flows to
skin
Causes heart related
diseases
Effects of excessive consumption of Alcohol
Social effects
Neglect family and
work
Create family and
financial problems
Increases crime rates
Becomes aggressive
and violent
Effects of excessive consumption of Alcohol
Liver damage
Liver cirrhosisliver cells
destroyed and replaced
by fibrous tissue
Not enough healthy liver
cells for function.
Hardening of the liver
Leads to death
Healthy Liver
Unhealthy Liver
Normal Liver -----Liver Inflammation-- Liver Cirrhosis--- Alcoholic Fatty Liver
Functions of the Liver
1. Regulation of blood glucose
concentration
2. Protein synthesis
3. Metabolism (deamination) of amino
acid
4. Production of bile
5. Iron storage
6. Detoxification (breakdown of alcohol)
Thus, the Liver remains the…
• Largest and most
important
metabolic organ in
the body!
End.
Have we learnt?
INGESTION
Taking in food
DIGESTION
Breakdown of complex
food substances to
soluble food substances
ABSORPTION
Digested food diffuses
into bloodstream
ASSIMILATION
Transport and use of
absorbed food by body cells
EGESTION
Removal of undigested food
7-Year-Old Girl Has Six Organs
Removed for Tumor Surgery
Doctor (Surgeon)
• Dr. Tomoaki Kato
• New York-Presbyterian
Morgan Stanley
Children's Hospital
Patient:
• Heather McNarama
Auto-transplantation is the transplantation of tissue from
one part of the body to another in the same individual.
What is your view about
legalizing organ
transplant?
Class activity
Main Function of the liver