role of the liver in detoxification and carbohydrate metabolism

toxic molecules are processed by the liver into less harmful molecules → detoxification

e.g. in the liver hydrogen peroxide is broken down by catalase

• hydrogen peroxide → (catalase) → water + oxygen

e.g. ethanol from alcoholic drinks

• ethanol → (alcohol dehydrogenase) → ethanal → ethanoate

glycogen is a polymer of glucose molecules - insulin triggers hepatocytes in the liver to remove glucose from the blood - glucagon triggers hepatocytes to convert glycogen back into glucose