Q.What are the functions of liver?
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →The liver is the largest gland in the body and performs a wide range of digestive, metabolic, excretory, and storage functions essential for homeostasis.
Major functions of the liver:
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Bile secretion: Hepatocytes secrete bile, which is stored and concentrated in the gall bladder and released into the duodenum. Bile salts emulsify large fat globules into smaller droplets, increasing the surface area for lipase action, and also help in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).
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Metabolic functions: The liver plays a central role in carbohydrate metabolism (glycogenesis, glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis - maintaining blood glucose levels), protein metabolism (deamination of amino acids, synthesis of plasma proteins such as albumin, globulins, fibrinogen and prothrombin), and lipid metabolism (synthesis and breakdown of fats, cholesterol, lipoproteins).
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Detoxification: The liver detoxifies many drugs, alcohol, and harmful metabolic by-products, converting them into less toxic or water-soluble forms for excretion.
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Urea formation: Ammonia produced from deamination of amino acids is converted into urea by the liver (ornithine cycle) for safe excretion by the kidneys.
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Storage: The liver stores glycogen, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), vitamin B12, and minerals such as iron and copper.
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