Liver Functions

How does the liver contribute to carbohydrate metabolism?

The liver regulates blood glucose by:

- Storing glucose as glycogen (glycogenesis)

- Breaking down glycogen into glucose (glycogenolysis)

- Converting amino acids, lactic acid, fructose, and galactose to glucose

- Converting excess glucose into triglycerides.

How does the liver contribute to lipid metabolism?

The liver:

- Stores triglycerides

- Breaks down fatty acids to generate ATP

- Synthesizes lipoproteins and cholesterol

- Uses cholesterol to make bile.

How does the liver contribute to protein metabolism?

The liver:

- Deaminates proteins for ATP synthesis or conversion to carbohydrates/fats

- Converts ammonia to urea for excretion in the urine

- Synthesizes plasma proteins like albumin, prothrombin, and fibrinogen.

What is the liver's role in drug and hormone processing?

The liver processes drugs and hormones, altering their structure for detoxification or excretion.

What vitamins and minerals does the liver store?

The liver stores vitamins A, D, E, K, B12, and minerals like iron.

How does the liver process red blood cells (RBCs)?

The liver breaks down hemoglobin from RBCs into bilirubin and removes old RBCs through phagocytosis.

What is the liver’s role in vitamin D activation and insulin-like growth factor secretion?

The liver activates vitamin D and secretes insulin-like growth factors that regulate growth and metabolism.