Which of the following is not a function of the liver in adults?
A produces bile
B detoxifies alcohol
C stores glucose
D produces urea
E makes red blood cells
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is:
E. Makes red blood cells
Explanation:
The liver is a vital organ with multiple functions, but red blood cell production is not one of its primary roles in adults. While the liver does produce red blood cells during fetal development, this function is taken over by the bone marrow after birth.
Here’s a breakdown of the liver’s functions related to the other options:
- Produces bile (A) – ✅ Correct Function
- The liver produces bile, which is essential for breaking down fats and aiding digestion. Bile is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine when needed.
- Detoxifies alcohol (B) – ✅ Correct Function
- The liver is responsible for detoxifying harmful substances, including alcohol. It does this by metabolizing alcohol into less harmful substances, mainly through enzymes such as alcohol dehydrogenase.
- Stores glucose (C) – ✅ Correct Function
- The liver helps regulate blood sugar levels by storing glucose as glycogen. When the body needs energy, glycogen is broken down into glucose and released into the bloodstream.
- Produces urea (D) – ✅ Correct Function
- The liver helps remove excess nitrogen from the body by converting ammonia (a toxic byproduct of protein metabolism) into urea, which is then excreted in urine by the kidneys.
Why “E” is Incorrect
- In fetuses, the liver is responsible for producing red blood cells because the bone marrow is not yet fully developed.
- After birth, the bone marrow takes over this function, making it the primary site for red blood cell production in adults.
Thus, option E (makes red blood cells) is NOT a function of the adult liver.
Here is an image related to liver functions:
Here is the medical illustration of the liver highlighting its key functions.