100 functions of the liver...

tallaght01

When I was at uni, we were told that we would be exposed to roughly 100 functions of the liver over the course of our degree.

I can think of about 6. So, I figured we should start a list.

I'll get the ball rolling with

1) production of clotting factors.

Can we get to 100??

Vorsprung

100!?

2) Production of bile

Gazza22

3) Production of serum albumin

(oh and nice split guys, looks good )

r3nu4l

4) Conversion of glucose to glycogen
5) Storage of glycogen

(In theory I suppose this is one function but since we're looking for 100, let's clutch at straws )

lorebringer

6) Deamination of protein

Vorsprung

r3nu4l wrote: »

4) Conversion of glucose to glycogen
5) Storage of glycogen

(In theory I suppose this is one function but since we're looking for 100, let's clutch at straws )

Ah not really, doesn't muscle and renal tissue store glycogen too?

6) Produces urea

r3nu4l

Vorsprung wrote: »

Ah not really, doesn't muscle and renal tissue store glycogen too?

But that doesn't really matter does it? We're not talking unique functions of the liver here, just functions of the liver and those are legitimate functions, I just broke them into two to help us reach 100

tallaght01

The glycogen thing is relatively specific to the liver, as it's mostly just stored in brain, skeletal tissue, kidney and liver.

But the liver is the where the action is, and it converts glucose to glycogen that can enter the bloodstream, as opposed to just being for local use, which is unique I think.
But we need 100 so let's roll with it :P

8) temperature regulation.

Jessibelle

9) synthesizes angiotensinogen
10) Drug metabolism (I think ???)

DrIndy

toxin metabolism

2Scoops

11). Serviceable meal when combined with fava beans and a nice chianti.

biomed32

12. cholesterol synthesis
13. lipogenesis
14. red blood cell generation in fetus
15. production of insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1

thats all i got for now

Jessibelle

2Scoops wrote: »

11). Serviceable meal when combined with fava beans and a nice chianti.

I laughed

biomed32 wrote: »

i believe that was point 14.

Ah yes, my mistake

16) Converts the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) into it more active form triiodothyronine (T3).

biomed32

Jessibelle wrote: »

I laughed

16) Produces red blood cells in the fetus during the first trimester

i believe that was point 15.

17. storage of the fat soluable vitamins A,D,E,K

liberal

18 synthesis of Protein C (a natural anticoagulant)
19 break down of thrombin complexed with a variety of things
20 production of thrombopoetin

I've been studying haemostasis :cool:

Piste

Does it break down/store iron or something?



(gotta make sure before I stick 21 in front of it)

Jessibelle

Piste wrote: »

Does it break down/store iron or something?



(gotta make sure before I stick 21 in front of it)

It stores iron alright and if there's an overabundance of iron it can add to the damage caused by hepatitis C. Too much iron can be a problem during interferon treatment as well, I think??
HTH

Dave!

Last-resort self-defense weapon
Good conversation piece
Paper weight

Tree

brain switched off tonight, so vague functions will be held back until i can give further clarification when it becomes engaged...

norrie rugger

Bilirubin production?

Nebit

21) nutralises chyme.:D

Somnus

22) Regulates cholesterol levels
23) Has ability to regenerate itself like some sort of unstoppable mutant

Tree

keeps me warm (provides body heat throuhg it's high level of metabolism)

tallaght01

tallaght01 wrote: »

8) temperature regulation.

Tree wrote: »

28) keeps me warm (provides body heat throuhg it's high level of metabolism)

:P

tallaght01

I've edited the numbers in posts, as they were out of sync and some duplicates.

tallaght01

24) Production of Hepcidin.

25) Norrirugger's point can be changed to conjugation of bilirubin and become 25

norrie rugger

tallaght01 wrote: »

24) Production of Hepcidin.

25) Norrirugger's point can be changed to conjugation of bilirubin and become 25

Might be a good idea to keep the full list in your original post, so people can read it and avoid duplicating

Tree

norrie rugger wrote: »

Might be a good idea to keep the full list in your original post, so people can read it and avoid duplicating

liver list wrote:

1) production of clotting factors.
2) Production of bile
3) Production of serum albumin
4) Conversion of glucose to glycogen
5) Storage of glycogen
6) Deamination of protein
6) Produces urea
8) temperature regulation.
9) synthesizes angiotensinogen
10) Drug metabolism (I think ???)
11). Serviceable meal when combined with fava beans and a nice chianti.
12. cholesterol synthesis
13. lipogenesis
14. red blood cell generation in fetus
15. production of insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1
16) Converts the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) into it more active form triiodothyronine (T3).
17. storage of the fat soluable vitamins A,D,E,K
18 synthesis of Protein C (a natural anticoagulant)
19 break down of thrombin complexed with a variety of things
20 production of thrombopoetin
21) nutralises chyme.
22) Regulates cholesterol levels
23) Has ability to regenerate itself like some sort of unstoppable mutant
24) Production of Hepcidin.
25) Norrirugger's point can be changed to conjugation of bilirubin and become 25

this is my contribution, rather than any individual points....

(i still think keeping trees warm and general metabolism are slightly different enough to count) /me sulks

tallaght01

Tree wrote: »

(i still think keeping trees warm and general metabolism are slightly different enough to count) /me sulks

But the temp regulation is from it's metabolic rate.

Plus "general metabolism" would use up about 40 of it's functions :P

Tree

*sniff*

1) production of clotting factors.
2) Production of bile
3) Production of serum albumin
4) Conversion of glucose to glycogen
5) Storage of glycogen
6) Deamination of protein
6) Produces urea
8) temperature regulation.
9) synthesizes angiotensinogen
10) Drug metabolism (I think ???)
11). Serviceable meal when combined with fava beans and a nice chianti.
12. cholesterol synthesis
13. lipogenesis
14. red blood cell generation in fetus
15. production of insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1
16) Converts the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) into it more active form triiodothyronine (T3).
17. storage of the fat soluable vitamins A,D,E,K
18 synthesis of Protein C (a natural anticoagulant)
19 break down of thrombin complexed with a variety of things
20 production of thrombopoetin
21) nutralises chyme.
22) Regulates cholesterol levels
23) Has ability to regenerate itself like some sort of unstoppable mutant
24) Production of Hepcidin.
25) Norrirugger's point can be changed to conjugation of bilirubin and become 25
26)hydroxylation of vitamin D (/me wanders off to add the same to the kidney list...)

Capt'n Midnight

de-Racemization of some drugs - it's cheaper to make the racemic mixture.
converts paracetamol into N-acetyl-p-benzoquinoneimine. Not so good as it leads to liver failure.
regenerates itself

El_Dangeroso

Don't know if this overlaps with what has already been mentioned but:

Removing bacteria from the bloodstream (phagocytosis).
Removal of estrogen from the bloodstream.
Removal of androgen from the bloodstream.
Production of blood-coagulating proteins.

Azelfafage

Helps to keep the drink at bay.

For a while.

Then the liver gives up.

Then we die.
.