LIVER BIOCHEMISTRY. NEUTRALIZATION OF TOXIC SUBSTANCES IN THE BODY. THE ROLE OF THE LIVER IN METABOLISM

The liver is the largest parenchymal organ. It performs a number of key functions in the body. Accepts and distributes substances entering the body from the digestive tract, which are brought with blood through the portal vein. These substances penetrate into hepatocytes, undergo chemical transformations and, in the form of intermediate or final metabolites, enter the blood and are carried to other organs and tissues. It serves as a place of bile formation. Synthesizes substances that are used in other tissues. Inactivates exogenous and endogenous toxic substances, as well as hormones.