12 Functions of Liver

Liver plays an important role in the whole process of metabolism. Its main functions are-

1. The bile produced in liver helps in the digestion of food.

2. The liver separates the excess of sugar from the blood and stores it in its cells as glycogen. During the days of food shortage, the stored glycogen is changed into glucose and added to the blood stream for distribution to the body.

3. Excess of amino acids and fats from very high protein and fat diet are also changed into glycogen.

4. Liver converts excess glucose and amino acids into fats.

5. Liver makes ineffective the toxic substances formed in the body itself from outside.

6. Drugs are also detoxified in the liver.

7. Liver produces heparin, prothrombin and fibrinogen.

8. Liver produces red blood corpuscles in the embryo.

9. Liver destroys the old worn out red blood corpuscles.

10. Liver synthesizes vitamin A.

11. Liver stores lipids, minerals, vitamins and bile.

12. Liver produces soluble proteins of blood plasma. 

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