State the functions of the human liver and explain the importance to a person of each function.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [10] 1 bile ;
2. [10] 2 emulsifies lipids / large to small lipid droplets + increased surface area ;
3. [10] 3 increased + digestion AW of lipids / activity of lipase ;
4. [10] 4 deamination / metabolism + amino acids ;
5. [10] 5 formation AW of urea ;
6. [10] 6 breakdown / removes + alcohol / lactic acid ;
7. [10] 7 breakdown / removes + hormones / named hormone ;
8. [10] 8 prevents + continued effect of hormone ;
9. [10] 9 glucose + glycogen ;
10. [10] 10 energy / glycogen + store ;
11. [10] 11 (glycogen) insoluble ;
12. [10] 12 no change to water potential of cells ;
13. [10] 13 high metabolic rate / high rate of respiration + heat production ;
14. [10] 14 breakdown of + haemoglobin / red blood cells / RBC / erythrocytes ;
15. [10] 15 iron ;
16. [10] 16 storage of vitamins ;