1. Protein metabolism
(i) Production of plasma proteins: Liver cells produce plasma proteins such as albumin, globulin, fibrinogen, prothrombin, transferrin, seroplasmin, photoprotein etc. from amino acids.
(ii) Hormone synthesis: Liver synthesizes angiotensinogen hormone. This hormone increases blood pressure.
(iii) De-amination: Liver breaks down excess and unused amino acids by de-amination process to convert keto acids and amine radicals.
2. Carbohydrate metabolism
(i) Glycogenesis: The process in which glycogen is produced from glucose is called glycogenesis. The liver regulates blood glucose levels. Hexose sugars including galactose, fructose are stored as glycogen.
(ii) Glycogenolysis: In this process glucose is produced by breaking down glycogen stored in the liver. This process is influenced by the hormones epinephrine and glucagon.
(iii) Glyconeogenesis: The biochemical process by which glucose is produced from non-saccharides is called glyconeogenesis. When the level of glucose in the body is too low, glucose is produced from non-saccharides such as amino acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, glyceryl etc.
(iv) Lipogenesis: In this process the liver converts excess glucose into triglycerides. The triglycerides produced are stored as fat in the cells. Triglycerides are one of the main causes of heart disease and stroke.
3. Lipid metabolism
(i) Fatty acids are broken down in the liver to produce ATP. ATP is used in muscle expansion and relaxation.
(ii) Liver synthesizes lipoproteins. Lipoproteins regulate the movement of fatty acids, cholesterol and triglycerides into cells.
(iii) Liver stores cholesterol. Cholesterol produces gallstones called sodium glycocholate and sodium taurocholate.
(iv) Ketones are produced by oxidation of fatty acids and glycerol in the liver.
(v) Sodium glycocholate and sodium tyrocholate break down astringent food into tiny granules like soap suds. This process is called emulsification.
(vi) Phospholipids, glycolipids, lipoproteins, cholesterol etc. are analyzed under the influence of liver juice.
(vii) Glucose is produced from stored fat in the absence of sugar.
4. Nucleic acid metabolism: Purine and pyrimidine nucleotides are analyzed with the help of liver cells. Purines are broken down to form uric acid and pyrimidines to form urea.
5. Breakdown of Hormones: Liver juice regulates the process of breaking down all kinds of hormones. Hormones like estrogen, cortical, testosterone etc. are released with sulfuric acid. Testosterone and androsterone hormones are rapidly destroyed and hormones such as insulin, glucagon, estrogen, progesterone, adrenal, thyroxine etc. are destroyed slowly.
6. Protection of the body: The kaffer cells of the liver protect the body by eating bacteria and other microbes in the process of phagocytosis.
7. Production of Red Blood Cells: Liver cells of babies produce red blood cells. Again, this removes almost dead red blood cells.
8. Bilirubin formation: breaks down hemoglobin in the blood to produce heme and globin. The green colored biliverdin is produced from the frozen part. Later, biliverdin forms yellow colored bilirubin. Excess bilirubin in the body causes jaundice and the skin turns yellow.
9. Detoxification: Liver cells destroy and remove harmful substances from the body through oxidation, oxidation and analysis. Excess drugs are removed from the body.
10. Preparation of Urea: Urea is produced from amino acids by deamination process under the influence of liver juice.
11. Blood protein production: Blood albumin, globulin etc. proteins are produced in the liver.
12. Blood coagulation: Fibrinogen and prothrombin are produced by liver cell activity. Fibrinogen and prothrombin help in blood clotting.
13. Enzyme production: Liver produces catalase enzyme. Catalase enzyme breaks down hydrogen peroxide to produce sodium and oxygen. It destroys the body’s toxic substances.
14. Heat energy production: Heat energy is generated by oxidation of triglycerides and fatty acids in the liver.
15. Synthesis of blood components: Liver produces blood clotting factors, imine factors and platelet-forming vitreous.
16. Cholesterol Production: Cholesterol is produced in the liver by eating fatty foods. Cholesterol causes heart attack and stroke.
17. Transamination: In the transamination process, the nitrogenous part of an amino acid is replaced by a sugar to produce a new amino acid.
18. Keeping blood free of bacteria: Kaffir cells destroy blood bacteria. Blood is free of bacteria.