Question

What role does the liver play in food absorption?

Answer 1

Liver is important for assimilation and acts as a check point and control centre for the release of appropriate amount of nutrients in the circulatory system.

Explanation:

Biological assimilation is the combination of two processes to supply cells with nutrients. The first process is the absorbtion of vitamins, minerals and other chemicals from food. The second process is the chemical alteration of substances in the blood stream by the liver or cellular secretions. The second process is where the absorbed food reaches the cells via the liver.

Excess glucose in the blood, arriving at the liver is converted into glycogen for storage or broken down through respiration, producing energy for other purposes.
Amino acids cannot be stored in our body. Some of them are transaminated to produce a different amino acid and the rest are deaminated to produce ammonia and keto acids.
When there is a short supply of glucose, amino acids are converted to glucose by the liver through the process or gluconeogenesis.

Assimilation means the absorbtion of digested food molecules to the cells of the body, where they are used, becoming part of the cells.
Assimilation ensures that the level of glucose fats and amino acids are balanced in the blood. If there is too much of a certain nutrient the liver converts it into either a storage or waste form.