D.3
FUNCTIONS OF THE LIVER
Essential Ideas: All animals excrete nitrogenous waste products, and some animals also balance water and solute concentrations.
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Nature of Science: Curiosity about particular phenomena: investigations were carried out to determine how desert animals prevent water loss in their wastes.
UNDERSTANDINGS:
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D.3.U1 The liver removes toxins from the blood and detoxifies them.
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D.3.U2 Components of red blood cells are recycled by the liver.
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D.3.U3 The breakdown of erythrocytes starts with phagocytosis of red blood cells by Kupffer cells.
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D.3.U4 Iron is carried to the bone marrow to produce haemoglobin in new red blood cells.
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D.3.U5 Surplus cholesterol is converted to bile salts.
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D.3.U6 Endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus in hepatocytes produce plasma proteins.
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D.3.U7 The liver intercepts blood from the gut to regulate nutrient levels.
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D.3.U8 Some nutrients in excess can be stored in the liver.
APPLICATIONS & SKILLS:
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Application: Causes and consequences of jaundice.
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Application: Dual blood supply to the liver and differences between sinusoids and capillaries.
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RESOURCES:
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