What is the primary function of the liver?

The primary function of the liver is to filter toxins from the blood. The liver plays a crucial role in detoxification, processing substances that can be harmful to the body, such as drugs, alcohol, and metabolic waste products. By converting these toxins into less harmful substances, or by facilitating their removal from the body, the liver helps maintain homeostasis and protects the body from potential damage.

In addition to detoxification, the liver also has several other important functions, including producing bile, which aids in digestion; synthesizing proteins that are essential for blood clotting and various bodily functions; and regulating metabolism by managing the levels of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the blood. However, its role in filtering toxins is fundamental to its overall importance in maintaining health.

Other options, while they mention functions related to the liver, do not capture its primary role. Producing insulin is primarily a function of the pancreas. Storing bile is a function of the gallbladder, although the liver does produce bile. Regulating body temperature is a function performed by the hypothalamus in the brain and is not a primary function of the liver.