Liver
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The liver plays a key role in both digestion and homeostasis. As the largest gland in the body, the liver detoxifies blood, stores vitamins and minerals, regulates cholesterol, and produces bile. The liver also regulates glucose levels in the bloodstream by storing excess glucose as glycogen and converting glycogen back to glucose when needed. The pancreas monitors blood glucose levels and releases insulin when glucose is high, promoting glycogen storage in the liver, or releases glucagon when glucose is low, prompting the liver to convert glycogen to glucose. This process maintains blood sugar levels via negative feedback control.
Liver
- 1. Biology 30S Unit 2 DIGESTION & NUTRITION Liver This organ is partially associated with the digestive process. However it serves major a homeostatic function as well.
- 2. Biology 30S Unit 2 DIGESTION & NUTRITION Liver
- 3. Biology 30S Unit 2 DIGESTION & NUTRITION The liver Largest gland in the body Functions Detoxifies poisonous substances in blood Removes and stores iron and vit. A, D, E, K, and B 12 Makes plasma proteins Regulates cholesterol Bile Production Stored in gall bladder
- 4. Biology 30S Unit 2 DIGESTION & NUTRITION The liver Functions Glucose Regulation Excess glucose stored as glycogen in the liver Glycogen broken down to glucose when needed When glycogen is depleted Converts fats and amino acids to glucose
- 5. Biology 30S Unit 2 DIGESTION & NUTRITION Liver – Homeostatic Function Blood / Sugar Regulation The body requires volumes of glucose in order to create ATP. The amount of ATP demanded will fluctuate, and therefore the body regulates the availability of glucose to maximize its energy making potential. Two hormones are responsible for controlling the concentration of glucose in the blood. These are insulin and glucagon.
- 6. Biology 30S Unit 2 DIGESTION & NUTRITION Blood / Sugar Regulation The receptors of the pancreas are responsible for monitoring glucose levels in the blood. The two hormones from the pancreas target the liver, one or the other depending on the glucose concentration. In cases where glucose levels increase, less glucagon and more insulin is released by the pancreas and targets the liver. In cases where glucose levels decrease, less insulin and more glucagon is released by the pancreas and targets the liver.
- 7. Biology 30S Unit 2 DIGESTION & NUTRITION Blood / Sugar Regulation The liver acts as a storehouse for glycogen, the storage form of glucose. When either of the above hormones target the liver, the following occurs Insulin is released as a result of an increase in glucose levels, and therefore promotes the conversion of glucose into glycogen, where the excess glucose can be stored for a later date in the liver Glucagon is released as a result of a decrease in glucose levels, and therefore promotes the conversion of glycogen into glucose, where the lack glucose can be compensated for by the new supply of glucose brought about from glycogen
- 8. Biology 30S Unit 2 DIGESTION & NUTRITION Blood / Sugar Regulation The diagram illustrates the principle of negative feedback control in action involving blood/sugar levels.
- 9. Biology 30S Unit 2 DIGESTION & NUTRITION
- 10. DIGESTION & Eating carbohydrates
- 11. Biology 30S Unit 2 DIGESTION & NUTRITION