What are functions of liver?

Explanation

Liver is the multipurpose and largest gland of man.
It helps in following functions :
(i) Liver cells secrete bile juice which helps in digestion of food by providing alkaline medium and also emulsifies the fats.
(ii) Liver regulates the blood sugar level by the process of glycogenesis or glycogenolysis.
(iii) Liver changes harmful amino acids into urea by the process of deamination and detoxification.
(iv) Liver forms bile pigments like bilirubin and biliverdin from haemoglobin of dead RBCs so helps in excretion.
(v) It produces heparin which prevents blood clotting inside the blood vessels.
(vi) It produces fibrinogen and prothrombin which helps in blood clotting at the injury.
(vii) It acts as erythropoietic organ in the embryo and forms RBCs.
(viii) Kupffer cells of liver act as phagocytes.
(ix) It is the site of vitamin - A synthesis from the carotenes of carrot.
(x) It also stores copper, iron, vitamins A, D, E and `B_(12)`, glycogen & fats.