BIOC33H3 Lecture Notes - Duodenum, Intrinsic Factor, Haptocorrin
8 May 2012
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Document Summary
Lecture 23 notes- key functions of the liver. Within the macrophage, haemoglobin is broken down into globin molecules (which are further broken down into amino acids and released into the blood) and the heme group. The heme group is then converted into biliverdin and then reduced to bilirubin. Bilirubin is released from the macrophage and binds with plasma albumin in the blood which transports it to the liver. Within the small intestine, bilirubin is metabolized by gut bacteria to produce urobilinogen. Urobilinogen can remain in the gut and become oxidized by gut bacteria to produce stercobilin which is voided in the feces (and gives the brown colour to feces). Urobilinogen can also leave the gut and enter the kidney where it is converted to urobilin which is voided in the urine (and gives urine its amber colour). The liver can be damaged over time when it is constantly exposed to toxic substances. An example of this is alcohol-induced liver damage.
