Tag: digestion and absorption

• Deamination is the process by which amino acids are broken down if there is an excess of protein intake.  It is the removal of an amine group from a molecule in the presence of an enzyme called deaminase. It takes place in the liver. Hence the process of breaking down excess amino acids in the liver is known as Deamination. 

Angiotensin is a peptide hormone, that causes vasoconstriction and a subsequent increase in blood pressure. It is derived from the precursor molecule angiotensinogen, a serum globulin produced in the liver. It plays an important role in the renin-angiotensin system. 

Animal flesh is composed of the most highly complex type of protein and requires vast amounts of uric acid to process. Uric acid is released into the system in amounts necessary to break proteins down into amino acids. Uric acid is a toxic substance and must be flushed out by the liver. Hence the carnivore's liver is designed with the capacity to eliminate ten times as much uric acid as the liver of man or other plant eaters. 

Glycogenolysis is the process by which glycogen stored in the liver and muscle cells of animals, is broken down into glucose to provide immediate energy and to maintain blood glucose levels during fasting. Glycogenolysis occurs in the liver and is stimulated by the hormones glucagon and epinephrine (adrenaline). It is the catabolic process where break down of glycogen occurs by the enzyme glycogen phosphorylase.

Kidner functions as a blood filtration tool which separates waste from the blood. The spleen is the site where blood is filtered as a part of immune system, also recycling of old blood cells are done here. Bone marrow is the site where there is the formation of new blood cells. The intestine is the only place where the protein in ingested food is broken down into simple forms after the partial breakdown in the stomach. So major proteinaceous food is broken down into free amino acids in the intestine. 

The colour of the stool is determined by the liver. The liver imparts a brown colour to the stool by releasing bile juices which is the normal case. In the case of the colour change of stool. it means that the liver is not functioning properly. For example. the stool is whitish grey in colour when the liver produces less bile juice or the flow of bile from the liver is blocked.