Liver Functions Part II

3E1

From where we left off

In the small intestines

Complete digestion occurs in the small
intestines
End products (glucose, amino acids, fatty
acids, glycerol) diffuse into the blood vessels
lining the small intestines.
This process is called Absorption.

Some animal samples

Guess what is the organ

shown!
From which animal?

Adaptation of the
small intestine for
absorption

Structure of small intestine

What do you see in the intestinal walls?

How do the folds and villi help

in absorption?

The presence of folds and villi

in the intestinal wall increase
surface area

More adaptations from the small

intestine
the epithelial cell of the intestinal wall
One-celled thick epithelial wall and microvilli
further increases surface area

The small intestines

What makes the small intestines suitable for Absorption?
2) Villi and
microvilli

1) Elongated ileum, Inner

surface of the ileum is folded

These features provide large surface area:vol for absorption

The small intestines

What makes the small intestines suitable for Absorption?

3) Many blood
vessels lining the
small intestines

Absorption
Absorption occurs by:
Diffusion
Active transport

After absorption,

Glucose and
amino acids enter
the blood
capilliaries

Glycerol and
fatty acids
enter the
lacteals

How does absorption takes

place in the intestines
Absorption of fatty acids and glycerol
Glycerol and fatty acids diffuse into the
epithelium where they combined to form
minute fat globules and enters the lacteals
Fat globules mix with lymph in the lacteals to
form chyle
Liver is not involved *

Assimilation
and
function of the liver

Overview

Role of Digestion

Large Intestine & Others

Mouth & Oesophagus

Gall Bladder &Pancreas

Stomach

Small Intestine

Overview 4 Stages
Ingestion

Assimilation

Digestion

Absorption

Lesson objectives:

Describe the fate of glucose, amino acids and fats in

the blood that leaves the intestines, after a meal.
Describe the 5 major roles that the liver plays in the
human body

Regulation of blood glucose concentration

Deamination of amino acids
Production of bile
Detoxication
Iron storage

Fate of
glucose and
amino acids

Transport and utilization of absorbed foods

In the Liver!

Types of absorbed food products

Glucose

Amino acids
Fats

From the small intestines to the

liver! How??
Connected by a
vein called Hepatic
Portal Vein!

Guess which part the vein connects

to the intestine?
B

D
A

Carbohydrate metabolism

Hepatic portal vein

transports sugars like glucose from
the intestines to the liver

Question!
Requires only 3
glucose molecules for
breathing

Receives 5 glucose
molecules from the
intestines

how many molecules of glucose do you

think the liver would transport to the
lungs?
Requires only 3
glucose molecules for
breathing

Receives 5 glucose
molecules from the
intestines

Liver in Glucose metabolism

Hepatic portal vein

Carbohydrate metabolism
In the liver.

1. Some glucose carried in the blood to be

distributed to the rest of the body
- Tissue respiration

Insulin and glucagon

In the liver.

-Glucose (excess) Glycogen (stored)

Hormone : Insulin
- If the glucose level is too low in the blood

Glycogen (stored) Glucose

Hormone: Glucagon

What about the amino acids

absorbed by the small intestines?

Similar route as sugars:

Intestines hepatic portal vein
liver general blood
circulation

Liver in Protein metabolism

Hepatic portal vein

Amino acid metabolism

Fate of amino acids

Converted into
protoplasm
Used for growth
& repair of wornout parts
Formation of
enzymes &
hormones

Excess amino
acids cannot be
stored :
Deamination

Deamination
H
O
H
|
||
N C COH
|
H
R
Amino group

Carbon residue

Ammonia (toxic)

glucose

Urea (non-toxic)

glycogen

Fat metabolism
(Liver not involved)

Intestines lacteal lymphatic vessels blood rest

of the body

Fate of Fats
maintenance of cell
membranes
Production of
hormones

Excess fats stored in

adipose tissues
When glucose supply is low,
fats will be oxidised in the liver
to provide energy

Summary:
5 major roles that the liver plays
Regulation of blood glucose
concentration
Deamination of amino acids
Iron storage
Production of bile
Detoxication

True/False
Liver is part of the alimentary canal

True/False
Carbohydrates are digested in the liver

True/False
Excess amino acids are deaminated

True/False
Fats are absorbed in the liver and
transport to other parts of the body for
usage.