Explain the role of the liver in regulating and storing nutrients.

a. all nutrients arrive at the liver (from small intestine) via hepatic portal vein;

b. liver stores (excess) glucose as glycogen and releases it as needed / OWTTE;

c. process is (respectively) under the control of insulin/glucagon;

d. (glucose levels) controlled by negative feedback;

e. amino acids are deaminated in the liver;

f. liver produces plasma proteins/albumin/fibrinogen;

g. synthesizes/stores cholesterol;

h. liver stores iron from the breakdown of hemoglobin in red blood cells;

i. liver stores vitamin A/vitamin D;

Most answers were excellent, but many candidates did not focus on what was asked and provided further details about other roles of the liver, such as detoxification. Although there were some very vague answers and some that did not go beyond storage of glucose, most in general provided sufficient details about glucose regulation and addressed the storage of iron and Vitamins A and D.