Option H4 Function of the Liver

H.4.1 Outline the circulation of blood through liver tissue, including the hepatic artery, hepatic portal vein, sinusoids and hepatic vein The _________ is the largest gland in the body and uniquely has an input of blood from two separate sources. Blood enters via the ______________ and _____________________ and travels through ______________ before leaving via the _________________.

H.4.1 Outline the circulation of blood through liver tissue, including the hepatic artery, hepatic portal vein, sinusoids and hepatic vein

H.4.2 Explain the role of the liver in regulating levels of nutrients in the blood

H.4.3 Outline the role of the liver in the storage of nutrients, including carbohydrate, iron, vitamin A and vitamin D.

H.4.4 State that the liver synthesizes plasma proteins and cholesterol.

H.4.5 State that the liver has a role in detoxification. Detoxification is the ____________________________ from a living organism The liver plays a role in the detoxification of a number of molecules, including _______, metabolic products, food preservatives, ________________________

H.4.6 Describe the process of erythrocyte and hemoglobin breakdown in the liver, including phagocytosis, digestion of globin and bile pigment formation.

H.4.7 Explain the liver damage caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol is metabolised by the liver to form products that may be toxic to cells (alcohol consumption also reduces cellular antioxidant activity) This leads to the replacement of healthy liver cells with fibrous scar tissue, which reduces the liver's ability to: Metabolise the body's supply of carbohydrates, fats and proteins Produce bile and remove toxins from the body Transport materials around the body (blocks blood flow to and from liver) Over time this may lead to nutritional deprivation and an increased susceptibility to infection Long term alcohol abuse (i.e. excessive drinking) results in three primary effects upon the liver: 1. Inflammation – swelling of damaged liver tissue (sometimes called alcoholic hepatitis) 2. Fat accumulation – build up of fat in place of normal liver tissue 3. Cirrhosis – scar tissue left when areas of liver are destroyed by prolonged alcohol exposure _________ is metabolized by the liver to form products that may be toxic to cells (alcohol consumption also reduces _______________ __________. This leads to the replacement of healthy liver cells with __________ ________, which reduces the liver's ability to:  __________ the body's supply of carbohydrates, fats and proteins  Produce _________ and remove toxins from the body  ____________________ around the body (blocks blood flow to and from liver) Over time this may lead to _____________________ and an increased susceptibility to ______________