Liver Cell
Definition
Liver cells, also known as hepatocytes, are responsible for protein synthesis, detoxification and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion among other functions.
Analogy
Consider liver cells like workers at a recycling plant. They sort through everything coming into your body (like food or medicine), break down what's harmful or unnecessary (detoxification), and help prepare useful materials to be reused elsewhere in your body (protein synthesis).
Related terms
Hepatic Artery: The main blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the liver.
Bile Ducts: Tubes that carry bile from the liver to gallbladder and small intestine; helps with digestion.
Glycogen Storage Disease: A metabolic disorder caused by enzyme deficiencies affecting either glycogen synthesis, glycogen breakdown or glycolysis within liver cell.
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