Question

Write a note on the functions of the liver in digestion.

Answer 1

1. It is the largest digestive gland of the body which is reddish-brown in colour.
2. It is divided into two main lobes, the right and left lobes. The right lobe is larger than the left lobe.
3. On the undersurface of the liver, the gall bladder is present. The liver cells secrete bile which is temporarily stored in the gall bladder.
4. Bile is released into the small intestine when food enters it. It has bile salts (sodium glycolate and sodium tauraglycolate) and bile pigments (bilirubin and biliverdin).
5. Bile fits help in the digestion of fats by bringing about their emulsification (conversion of large fat droplets into small ones).