Final answer:
Hepatocytes conjugate bilirubin with glucuronic acid, aided by UDP glucuronyl transferase. This transforms bilirubin into a water-soluble form, allowing for excretion in bile.
Step-by-step explanation:
Conjugation of Bilirubin by Hepatocytes
Hepatocytes conjugate bilirubin with glucuronic acid. This process involves the enzyme UDP glucuronyl transferase, which aids in the attachment of glucuronic acid to bilirubin, producing bilirubin monoglucuronide and subsequently bilirubin diglucuronide.
This monoglucuronide is then further conjugated with another glucuronic acid to form bilirubin diglucuronide, a water-soluble form that can be easily excreted. Therefore, the correct answer is a. With glucuronic acid.This conjugation transforms bilirubin from a water-insoluble to a water-soluble form, facilitating its excretion in bile into the intestine.
Importance of Bilirubin Conjugation
Conjugation is crucial for the detoxification and removal of bilirubin, a byproduct of hemoglobin breakdown, from the body. Disorders such as Crigler-Najjar syndrome and Gilbert's disease show inadequate conjugation due to deficits in UDP glucuronyl transferase activity, leading to elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood.