What is the fucntion of liver?
Liver FunctionsThe liver performs several essential functions in the body, including:
- Metabolism: The liver plays a crucial role in metabolising carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. It converts the food we eat into energy, stores excess glucose as glycogen, and produces ketone bodies when glucose levels are low. The liver also metabolises proteins, converting amino acids into energy or other compounds needed by the body. Additionally, the liver is responsible for processing fats and converting them into energy or storing them for future use.
- Detoxification: The liver is the primary organ responsible for detoxifying the body. It removes harmful substances, such as drugs, alcohol, and toxins, from the bloodstream. These substances are processed by the liver and either broken down or excreted from the body through bile or urine.
- Production of bile: Bile is a fluid that aids in the digestion of fats. The liver produces and secretes bile into the small intestine, where it helps break down fats into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the body.
- Storage: The liver serves as a storage organ for various substances, including glycogen, vitamins (such as vitamins A, D, B12), and minerals (such as iron and copper). Glycogen is stored in the liver and released as glucose when the body needs energy between meals or during physical activity.
- Synthesis of plasma proteins: The liver is responsible for synthesising several plasma proteins, including albumin, clotting factors, and lipoproteins. Albumin is essential for maintaining the water balance and osmotic pressure in the blood, while clotting factors are necessary for proper blood clotting. Lipoproteins are responsible for transporting lipids (fats) throughout the body.
- Immunity: The liver plays a role in the immune system by filtering and removing bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances from the bloodstream. It also produces proteins that are involved in immune responses.
-Processing and recycling of hemoglobin: The liver also breaks down hemoglobin (the protein responsible for carrying oxygen in red blood cells) releases the iron from hemoglobin and stores it for the production of new red blood cells.
-Regulation of blood clotting: Another function of the liver is to produce substances involved in blood clotting, including prothrombin and other clotting factors.
-Regulation of cholesterol levels: The liver also helps in the regulation of cholesterol levels in the body by removing excess cholesterol from the blood and converting it into bile salts.