25Schools
Log in Sign up
University revision · Clinical Biochemistry

Liver Functions and Pathophysiology

Question 1 of 58 Course: Biomedical Science(Degree)
Q1
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune disease targeting intrahepatic bile ducts.
Choose an answer, then submit to see the explanation.

About this topic

The liver is a vital organ with diverse roles in metabolism, synthesis, detoxification, and excretion. This topic provides an in-depth study of liver physiology, including bilirubin metabolism, protein and lipid synthesis, carbohydrate regulation, and drug detoxification pathways. Students will explore the classification and causes of jaundice (pre-hepatic, hepatic, post-hepatic), inherited disorders like Gilbert's and Crigler-Najjar syndromes, and chronic liver disease such as cirrhosis. The module also covers complications of hepatic failure, including portal hypertension, hepatic encephalopathy, and coagulopathy. For Zambian university students in clinical medicine and medical laboratory sciences, understanding liver function is essential for diagnosing hepatobiliary diseases, interpreting liver function tests (LFTs), and managing patients with liver disorders. This knowledge is key to excelling in tertiary examinations and performing effectively in clinical and laboratory settings.

What you'll practise (50 questions)

  1. What is the primary function of bile?
  2. Which of the following is a function of the liver?
  3. True or False: Bile is produced by the gallbladder.
  4. True or False: The liver produces bile, which is essential for the digestion of fats.
  5. The liver synthesizes albumin, clotting factors, and bile.
  6. Alcoholic liver disease can cause both hepatocellular and cholestatic patterns.
  7. Which of the following are patterns of drug-induced liver injury?
  8. Autoimmune hepatitis typically shows elevated IgG and positive autoantibodies.
  9. Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) shows positive anti-mitochondrial antibodies.
  10. Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is associated with inflammatory bowel disease.
  11. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common complication of cirrhosis.
  12. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a tumor marker for hepatocellular carcinoma.
  13. Which of the following are risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma?
  14. Liver transplantation is the definitive treatment for end-stage liver disease.
  15. The MELD score predicts mortality in chronic liver disease and prioritizes transplant candidates.
  16. Wilson's disease causes copper accumulation in liver and brain.
  17. Diagnosis of Wilson's disease includes low serum ceruloplasmin and high urinary copper.
  18. Haemochromatosis causes iron overload in liver, heart, and pancreas.
  19. Which of the following are diagnostic findings in haemochromatosis?
  20. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency can cause emphysema and liver disease.
  21. Wilson's disease is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism.
  22. Which of the following are clinical features of Wilson's disease?
  23. Diagnosis of Wilson's disease includes low serum ceruloplasmin and elevated urinary copper.
  24. Treatment for Wilson's disease includes copper chelators like D-penicillamine and trientine.
  25. Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency can lead to emphysema and liver disease.
  26. Which of the following are features of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency?
  27. Hereditary haemochromatosis is an autosomal recessive disorder of iron overload.
  28. Which of the following are clinical features of hereditary haemochromatosis?
  29. Diagnosis of hereditary haemochromatosis includes elevated transferrin saturation and serum ferritin.
  30. Treatment for hereditary haemochromatosis is regular phlebotomy.
  31. Autoimmune hepatitis is characterized by interface hepatitis on histology.
  32. Which of the following autoantibodies are associated with autoimmune hepatitis?
  33. Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune disease targeting intrahepatic bile ducts.
  34. Which of the following are features of primary biliary cholangitis?
  35. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is first-line therapy for primary biliary cholangitis.
  36. Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
  37. Which of the following are features of primary sclerosing cholangitis?
  38. Alcoholic liver disease includes fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
  39. Which of the following are laboratory findings in alcoholic hepatitis?
  40. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with metabolic syndrome.
  41. Which of the following are risk factors for NAFLD?
  42. Viral hepatitis can be caused by hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E viruses.
  43. Which of the following hepatitis viruses are transmitted primarily via the fecal-oral route?
  44. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) indicates current infection.
  45. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of chronic hepatitis and liver transplantation.
  46. Which of the following are used to diagnose hepatitis C infection?
  47. Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a defective virus that requires HBV for replication.
  48. Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) can be predictable (intrinsic) or idiosyncratic.
  49. Which of the following drugs are known to cause drug-induced liver injury?
  50. Paracetamol overdose causes hepatic necrosis due to depletion of glutathione.

Answer each question above to see the correct answer and a full explanation.