Final answer:
The liver performs various essential functions, including the production and storage of bile for fat digestion, filtering toxins from the blood, and processing nutrients. It does not produce digestive enzymes for the small intestine; that is the pancreas's role.
Step-by-step explanation:
Functions of the Liver
The liver is a vital organ with numerous functions integral to maintaining health. The correct answer to the student's question is d) All of the above as the liver:
- Stores and releases bile to aid in digestion, specifically in the emulsification and absorption of lipids.
- Functions as a filtering system that filters toxins from the blood, converting them into less toxic forms that can be excreted.
Additionally, the liver produces bile salts and other components that play a crucial role in the digestive process by breaking down fats in the duodenum. Bile also reduces the acidity of food entering from the stomach, providing a suitable pH for enzymes in the small intestine to function properly. The gallbladder assists in this process by storing and concentrating bile, releasing it when needed for digestion.
While the liver does not produce digestive enzymes secreted into the small intestine—this is a function of the pancreas—it does produce and secrete bile, crucial for lipid digestion. The liver's role in metabolism extends to processing nutrients, synthesizing plasma proteins, and detoxifying blood.