Final answer:
The liver is the body's largest internal organ, with primary functions including bile production for the digestion of fats and various metabolic processes. It also detoxifies harmful substances. The gallbladder assists the liver by storing and concentrating bile.
Step-by-step explanation:
Functions of the Liver
The liver is an essential organ in human physiology with a range of pivotal functions related to metabolism, digestion, and detoxification. It is known to be the largest internal organ in the body and is regarded as the largest gland. One of the liver's primary roles within the digestive system is to produce bile, which is crucial for the emulsification and digestion of fats. Bile facilitates the breakdown of large lipid globules into smaller ones for easier enzyme action within the small intestine.
Additionally, the liver is involved in various crucial metabolic functions, including carbohydrate metabolism—through processes such as gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis, and glycogenesis— and the synthesis of plasma proteins. It also plays a significant role in detoxification by metabolizing toxic substances and converting them into less harmful forms that can be excreted from the body. Meanwhile, the gallbladder works in tandem with the liver by storing and concentrating bile, which can then be released when needed for digestion.