Tag: functions of the liver

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.

When carbohydrate intake exceeds energy needs, the liver converts excess glucose into fatty acids through a process called lipogenesis, which are then stored as triglycerides.

Glisson's capsule is the connective tissue sheath that covers the liver.

Bile is alkaline primarily due to the presence of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), which helps neutralize acidic chyme entering the duodenum.

The liver is the site of synthesis for most plasma proteins, including albumin, fibrinogen, and prothrombin.

The urea cycle, which converts toxic ammonia into urea, occurs exclusively in the liver.

Kupffer cells are the resident macrophages of the liver that phagocytose old blood cells and pathogens.

Bile release is triggered by the presence of chyme in the duodenum, specifically the fat content which stimulates the release of the hormone cholecystokinin (CCK). CCK causes the gallbladder to contract, releasing bile to emulsify the fats.

Fats (lipids) have a higher energy density than carbohydrates or proteins because they are more reduced. Upon complete oxidation, fats yield approximately 9 kcal/g, whereas carbohydrates and proteins yield approximately 4 kcal/g.

The liver is the primary site for cholesterol biosynthesis in the human body. It regulates cholesterol levels by synthesizing it from acetyl-CoA.