A middle-aged man suffers from cirrhosis which is a form of
liver disease whereby toxins
such as ammonia are not properly metabolized by the liver and can
damage the brain.
Explain using biochemical reasoning how the brain is affected when
the liver fails to
metabolise ammonia 10 marks
Cirrhosis is a complication of the liver disease and in this disease , liver is unable to break down ammonia into its metabolites that lead to the high level of ammonia in the blood. But when this, ammonia level get too high it enter the brain , it become too toxic to the brain and lead to causing many diseases.
According to the biochemical analysis, when ammonia enter the brain and brain defences are severely damaged. This excess ammonia initiate the series of molecular chain reaction and short-circuits the entry of potassium ion in the specific brain cell known as glial cells. This increase level of potassium ion, lead to the more accumulation of potassium ion , chloride ion around glial cells. This further changes the action potential of the membrane of the brain glial cell and even lead to the death of the person.
A middle-aged man suffers from cirrhosis which is a form of liver disease whereby toxins such...
sheer speed with which end-stage liver failure can consume a patient is what makes the disease so devastating.1,2 Unfortunately, Ms. S.’s family had never been informed about that reality. When they brought her in for a mere urinary tract infection, they were shocked that it took only days for her heart, lungs, and immune system to fail alongside her liver. Her family waited in hopeful anticipation for Ms. S.’s condition to take a turn for the better, and therefore repeatedly...
The sheer speed with which end-stage liver failure can consume a patient is what makes the disease so devastating.1,2 Unfortunately, Ms. S.’s family had never been informed about that reality. When they brought her in for a mere urinary tract infection, they were shocked that it took only days for her heart, lungs, and immune system to fail alongside her liver. Her family waited in hopeful anticipation for Ms. S.’s condition to take a turn for the better, and therefore...