Final answer:
In short, hepatic lobules perform metabolism of proteins and lipids and detoxification of blood. They carry out these processes through hepatocytes, which are involved in various functions including bile production, substance transformation, and synthesis of proteins and lipids.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hepatic lobules of the liver are responsible for two main processes: metabolism and detoxification. Hepatocytes, or hepatic cells, are the functional units within each lobule and account for about 80 percent of the liver's volume. These cells undertake numerous vital functions, such as producing bile for the digestion of fats and transforming substances like lactic acid into useful compounds like alanine. Moreover, hepatocytes are central to protein metabolism, lipid metabolism including cholesterol and triglyceride synthesis, and in the storage and release of various vitamins and minerals.
In terms of detoxification, the liver modifies toxic substances through a process known as drug metabolism, which can occasionally lead to toxication if the resultant metabolite is more harmful than the precursor. Additionally, the liver also stores and synthesizes several types of proteins, lipids, and amino acids, which are essential for a variety of bodily functions, such as blood clotting, growth, and transportation of fatty acids and steroid hormones.