top of page

 THE LIVER 

FUNCTIONS

  1. Is an Important Organ in Digestion and Homeostasis:

    • It allows blood concentration of nutrients, hormone and etc. to remain constant and also aids in the secretion of bile and nucleotidase which are needed enzymes for digestion ​

  2.  Interconversion of Nutrients:

    • Can convert carbohydrates into fat and amino acids can be converted into carbohydrates and fats.

  3. Produces 1.5 Litres of Bile a Day:

  4. Removes Toxins from the Blood: 

    • Removes unwanted particulate matter from the blood through the macrophages or large white blood cells from the spleen.​

  5. Destroys Old Red Blood Cells:​​

  6. Produces Urea: 

    • Removal of amino acids result in the waste product ammonia being produced. As such the liver converts ammonia to urea and removes it through the urine.

  7. Manufactures Cholesterol:

  8. Stores Iron: 

  9. Stores Vitamins:

  10. Mankes Red Blood Cells (IN EMBRYOS NOT HUMANS!)

Disorders of the Liver

JAUNDICE:

  • This is a generalized condition. When someone has jaundice they tend to have a yellow tinted skin color which results due to the buildup of bilirubin which is produced in the body when red blood cells are broken down

  • When liver damage or the blockage of a bile duct occurs that triggers jaundice to occur as well. 

bottom of page