Which organ processes nutrients absorbed from the digestive tract and filters blood?

Which organ processes nutrients absorbed from the digestive tract and filters blood?

• A. Kidney
• B. Liver
• C. Heart
• D. Lung

Answer: (B)

The liver is the organ that handles nutrients from the digestive tract and cleanses the blood. After nutrients are absorbed in the intestine, they reach the liver through the hepatic portal vein, where they’re metabolized and stored: sugars can be converted to glycogen, amino acids are used to make proteins, and fats are processed and packaged for use or storage. The liver also detoxifies drugs and other toxins and produces bile to help digestion, while filtering portal blood to remove harmful substances. This combination of nutrient processing and blood filtration explains why the liver fits this role best, whereas the kidneys mainly filter waste from blood, the heart pumps blood, and the lungs exchange gases rather than processing nutrients.

The liver is the organ that handles nutrients from the digestive tract and cleanses the blood. After nutrients are absorbed in the intestine, they reach the liver through the hepatic portal vein, where they’re metabolized and stored: sugars can be converted to glycogen, amino acids are used to make proteins, and fats are processed and packaged for use or storage. The liver also detoxifies drugs and other toxins and produces bile to help digestion, while filtering portal blood to remove harmful substances. This combination of nutrient processing and blood filtration explains why the liver fits this role best, whereas the kidneys mainly filter waste from blood, the heart pumps blood, and the lungs exchange gases rather than processing nutrients.