Questions tagged [liver]
Internal organ of vertebrate species which is important for a lot of biochemical functions including production of molecules, detoxification and production of glycogen.
46
questions
0
votes
0
answers
27
views
Where does free ammonium in peripheral tissues come from if oxidative deamination occurs in the liver?
I have a misunderstanding regarding how some claims about amino acids catabolism make sense together. Maybe one of the claims is incorrect by itself so I'd be happy to be corrected. Here is what I don'...
1
vote
1
answer
293
views
choosing the right housekeeping gene for Western Blotting analysis for liver lysates
B- actin is used a great deal for quantitation of liver lysates. What other alternatives are there for WB analysis? should we opt for GAPDH or tubulin?
- 1,305
1
vote
0
answers
87
views
Hepatic lobules and hepatocytes
"The hepatic lobules are the structural and functional units of the liver containing hepatic cells arranged in the form of cords. "
My textbook says that the hepatic lobule is the ...
- 21
0
votes
0
answers
47
views
What is the conjugation capacity of the liver?
Our liver conjugates 250-300 mg bilirubin per day under normal circumstances but it is capable of conjugating much more. What is the upper end per day after which it won’t be able to conjugate leading ...
6
votes
1
answer
114
views
Human biology - liver regeneration after laprascopic segmentectomy
I am trying to understand to what extent human patients can regenerate liver mass after laprascopic segmentectomy: what part of liver will be regenerated and how fully.
My work with sources is not ...
- 215
1
vote
2
answers
239
views
What is the connection between LDL, liver, and saturated fat?
I've been trying to learn about cholesterol, lipoproteins, and fats, but unfortunately, there is an ocean of confusing information on the internet. I don't have any solid background in biology, so ...
- 2,310
1
vote
1
answer
33
views
How much percentage of substance does liver take in one pass?
The portal vein system is to feed the absorbed nutrition and toxin (defined as "substance" here) to liver first for it to take them up as fast as possible, before they reach other organs ...
- 46.5k
1
vote
2
answers
2k
views
What does the term 'glycogen mobilisation' mean?
I read that glycogen is a mobilised store of glucose:
Glycogen is a readily mobilized storage form of glucose. It is a very large, branched polymer of glucose residues (Figure 21.1) that can be ...
- 10.5k
4
votes
0
answers
312
views
Reason for partially double-stranded DNA of Hepatitis B virus
According to my school biology textbook and also Wikipedia, hepatitis B is the only Hepatitis virus to possess partially double-stranded DNA.
I found an image from here
What is the reason for the ...
1
vote
0
answers
21
views
A question about L-Citrulline
I know that L-Citrulline enters in the second step of urea cycle in the liver mitochondria and I wonder if a person takes an overdose of L-Citrulline wouldn't that cause mild hyperammonemia or at ...
- 320
-2
votes
1
answer
44
views
Isn't it an evolutionary disadvantage to have a single organ perform so many essential functions?
This is in reference to the human liver, responsible for not only the production of bile, but also the filtration of blood, metabolization of drugs, detoxification and so on. Liver failure is often ...
- 15.1k
0
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Target cells of adrenaline?
I have been thinking about how adrenaline increases blood sugar levels, but have not been able to find an answer to the target cells. Does it affect the hepatocytes and muscle cells, like glycogen?
...
- 1,317
4
votes
1
answer
155
views
Detrimental effects of fructose in fruit on the liver?
Fructose is mostly broken down by the liver. During this breakdown, the liver also creates fats (by the process of lipogenesis) which over time can get accumulated in the liver and give rise to ...
- 26.3k
1
vote
1
answer
5k
views
How does activation of adenylcyclase lead to increased cAMP and diarrhea?
I am trying find explanation for these mechanisms
Tox plasmid -> exotoxin (enterotoxin) -> activation of adenylcyclase
-> \up cAMP enterocytes -> release of H2O, electrolytes in gut lumen -> ...
- 52.5k
8
votes
1
answer
2k
views
When you have your gallbladder removed, how does it affect bile flow into your small intestine?
Cholecystectomy, or surgical removal of the gallbladder, is an extremely common operation around the world. The gallbladder is typically viewed as a storage organ for bile produced by the liver, but ...
- 8,811
5
votes
1
answer
17k
views
Which blood vessel carries the most impure blood?
There is a question in my Biology textbook:
"Which blood vessel in the human body carries most impure blood after
few hours of meal."
The answer is given as Renal artery.
But I think the answer ...
0
votes
0
answers
127
views
How does the body differentiate between sources of good and bad cholesterol?
I keep hearing "good cholesterol, bad cholesterol" everywhere, and how certain food sources of cholesterol raise LDL and certain other raise HDL.
I don't understand how any food can increase ...
- 317
1
vote
0
answers
35
views
4
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Why is the liver the only internal organ of the human body to regrow?
Related to my earlier question, "How does the human liver regrow?", am curious as to why the liver is the only major organ that has this capability?
Why is it that other major organs, such as the ...
- 577
3
votes
1
answer
9k
views
How do nutrients get to the cells they need to get to?
I understand the basics of digestion. I know that nutrients get absorbed by the microvilli, enter the bloodstream and travel to the liver but after all that, what is the biological mechanism that ...
- 1
4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Why are excess amino acids toxic?
While learning about deamination, I learnt that excess amino acids must be converted to urea and excreted, since the nitrogenous group can alter the pH and affect proteins. But shouldn't the pH stay ...
- 4,836
14
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Grapefruits and CYP3A4
Grapefruit juice contains furanocoumarins, which irreversibly inhibit CYP3A4. For this reason, when one is taking certain medications it is necessary to not eat grapefruits because the inhibition of ...
- 1
5
votes
1
answer
6k
views
Why doesn't glucagon promote glycogenolysis in muscle?
Insulin stimulates glycogenesis in both liver and in muscles. Epinephrine stimulates glycogenolysis in both liver and muscles. But glucagon stimulates glycogenolysis in liver only. Why is this so?
- 22.8k
1
vote
1
answer
4k
views
Why is alcohol purged from the body more slowly when we sleep?
It is a popular belief that when you get asleep after drinking alcohol, in the morning you have higher level in your blood than if you stayed awake the whole night.
Is this true?
If so, why? Is it ...
CommunityBot
- 1
10
votes
1
answer
202
views
Why is there an extended delay before G.M. liver cells are attacked by the immune system?
In this BBC article a trial is described where patients with B-Haemophillia are infected with modified Adeno-associated Virus 8 which contained the genes for Factor IX clotting protein. Trials seemed ...
- 3,293
1
vote
0
answers
43
views
Does liver regenerate quicker if idle?
I recently heard a proposition that fasting (especially fruit-only diet) can improve liver function because it removes the load usually induced by toxins in common diets, thereby allowing the liver to ...
- 119
4
votes
1
answer
474
views
Liver - Regeneration in Cirrhosis
Liver is the most resilient of the human organ (on par with or next to skin). A very interesting experiment on liver regeneration is here. Even if two-thirds of the liver is removed, the remaining ...
CommunityBot
- 1
2
votes
0
answers
357
views
Size of classical liver lobule across species
A classical liver lobule is made up of a central vein and the portal triads. A typical human liver weighs around 3 lbs. , while a typical bovine liver weighs around 12 lbs. I was wondering if anyone ...
- 3,687
1
vote
0
answers
239
views
If the liver can regenerate why can alcohol abuse permanently damage it?
The liver is a fairly unique organ in that it has the ability to regenerate itself even if parts of it are removed/damaged. It is a well known fact that continual alcohol abuse damages the liver and ...
- 153
5
votes
2
answers
8k
views
Does the hepatic portal system form capillary beds?
Does the hepatic portal system form capillary beds? If so, is the capillary bed coordinated with that of arterial capillaries?
What review paper might I look in?
CommunityBot
- 1
2
votes
0
answers
2k
views
Why does liver wrap around inferior vena cava?
As shown in the image, the liver wraps around inferior vena cava, which takes blood from liver via hepatic veins. Is there an advantage of having the inferior vena cava closer to the liver rather than ...
- 365
0
votes
1
answer
780
views
Storage of energy in muscles vs fat depos [closed]
How does the body control, where consumed energy (fat, glucose) is stored? And what is its strategy?
More specific:
1) How does the body control storing glucose in muscles and not as (subcutan) fat? (...
- 407
0
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How does protein enter bloodstream?
If a hemophiliac patient injects his factor 8 through the veins directly into the bloodstream to provide the body with clotting factor... Why don't they just make the drug as a pill and have the liver ...
- 76
4
votes
1
answer
346
views
Can the liver prioritize it's metabolizing potential?
Let's assume we have two toxins - one of which is routinely metabolized by the liver, and the other is new to the organism (consider for example alcohol in a heavy drinker and any other drug that is ...
- 2,387
9
votes
1
answer
618
views
If eating 100% fat 2 times more worth the energy I spend during the day, will I store body fat?
So in theory, insulin hormone is the one that tells the body "eat more. don't burn body fat". Alongside with glucose blood level regulation and turning excessive glucose into liver (which later goes ...
- 720
1
vote
1
answer
169
views
Duplicity Vs. Singularity of Mammals Organs [closed]
Are there known evolutionary reasons why mammals contain 2 of some organs (such as lungs and kidneys) and only 1 of some (such as liver)?
- 522
2
votes
1
answer
54
views
Do metastatic cells still have their parent's identity?
If a liver cancer, for example, gives metastases. Will metastatic cells still have liver identity? I mean, if we mark liver cells, will we see the cancer cells too?
Thanks a lot!
- 3,705
0
votes
1
answer
180
views
Question about what the liver does NOT do
Which of the following functions is NOT performed by the liver?
a) Storage of vitamins and minerals
b) converts glucose to glycogen
c) converts toxins to harmless chemicals
d) produces bile
I chose ...
0
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Does scratched Teflon coated frying pans contain carcinogens which can cause cancer? [closed]
Is it true that using scratched Teflon-coated pans contain carcinogens, and if so, can they be consumed through the food cooked in them?
E.g.
The deadly toxins from non-stick frying pans
- 661
2
votes
1
answer
716
views
Biology Analogy
In my book are given several paired analogies with me being asked to give reason for them. I could solve all of them except this:
liver = thrifty house-keeper
I mean, I do not understand why the ...
- 1,427
3
votes
1
answer
239
views
What is inside IDL (intermediate density lipoproteïn)?
I am studying about the endogene lipidcycle in the human body and I know that VLDL (very low density lipoproteïn) is made in the liver and that it contains triglycerides and cholesterol from your food ...
- 275
1
vote
1
answer
325
views
How does Acetaldehyde accelerate mitosis?
I read that one of the ways alcohol is carcinogenic is via accelerated mitosis due to acetaldehyde, I was wondering what pathway caused this acceleration?
- 52.5k
6
votes
1
answer
369
views
How does the human liver regrow?
I understand that there would have to be a portion of liver present to regrow from, so how much liver would the minimum to be able to regrow?
By what mechanism does regrowth occur?
- 2,824
6
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What metabolic activities are performed by a developing human fetus's liver?
I understand that organ function varies with the stages of development. Does a fetal liver EVER perform lipogenesis, gluconeogenesis, make bile, etc? Or does it only begin performing these actions ...
- 824
6
votes
1
answer
888
views
Can cirrhosis be caused by physical compression of the body?
On a random forum, a member speculated that their cirrhosis was caused by wearing tight-fitting clothing such as a girdle or corset. This leads me to the following question:
Question: Can ...
- 203
3
votes
1
answer
8k
views
Circulation through the liver in light of drug metabolism
I have a lingering question which stems from an answer that I gave to What hydrolyses aspirin within the digestive tract and blood stream?
When a drug or any other substance is absorbed into the ...
CommunityBot
- 1