The Liver Flashcards
A crab that loses a leg can grow another one back. A worm that loses its head or tail can grow either back from any of its segments. And believe it or not, you can do something similar!
The liver is the largest organ inside your body. If part of it is removed, it can grow back. But the liver is amazing in many other ways too because it does so many important jobs. The liver is like a giant chemical factory with three major functions. It makes something called “bile” to help your stomach break down the food you eat. It cleans your blood by removing dangerous chemicals from your body. And it makes and stores fuel for you to use when you need extra energy.
Your liver is located under your ribs on your right side. It is smooth, reddish-brown, and made up of two different parts called “lobes.” Your liver weighs about three pounds.
All together, your liver does more than 500 things that are vital to your health. Besides its main jobs, the liver helps make antibodies that kill germs and makes cells that builds your muscles. It even makes a protein that stops cuts from bleeding for a long time and it keeps pollution from hurting you. The liver is so important that none of us can live for long with one that is badly diseased. You can take care of your liver by eating healthy foods, drinking water, and exercising. Drinking too much alcohol and smoking cigarettes can cause damage to the liver.
There is a rather strange side effect for some people with liver problems. Their skin and eyes can turn a shade of yellow. Even newborn babies sometimes have this problem. Doctors can help, so people who are looking “yellow” should see one right away. After all, this is one part of your body you need to keep healthy.
A crab that loses a leg can grow another one back. A worm that loses its head or tail can grow either back from any of its segments. And believe it or not, you can do something similar!
The liver is the largest organ inside your body. If part of it is removed, it can grow back. But the liver is amazing in many other ways too because it does so many important jobs. The liver is like a giant chemical factory with three major functions. It makes something called “bile” to help your stomach break down the food you eat. It cleans your blood by removing dangerous chemicals from your body. And it makes and stores fuel for you to use when you need extra energy.
Your liver is located under your ribs on your right side. It is smooth, reddish-brown, and made up of two different parts called “lobes.” Your liver weighs about three pounds.
All together, your liver does more than 500 things that are vital to your health. Besides its main jobs, the liver helps make antibodies that kill germs and makes cells that builds your muscles. It even makes a protein that stops cuts from bleeding for a long time and it keeps pollution from hurting you. The liver is so important that none of us can live for long with one that is badly diseased. You can take care of your liver by eating healthy foods, drinking water, and exercising. Drinking too much alcohol and smoking cigarettes can cause damage to the liver.
There is a rather strange side effect for some people with liver problems. Their skin and eyes can turn a shade of yellow. Even newborn babies sometimes have this problem. Doctors can help, so people who are looking “yellow” should see one right away. After all, this is one part of your body you need to keep healthy.
Where is your liver located?
under your ribs on the right side
What are the three major functions of the liver?
- Makes bile to help you break down the food you eat
- Cleans your blood by removing dangerous chemicals from your body
- Makes and stores fuels for you to use when you need extra energy
What can you do to take care of your liver?
Eat healthy foods, drink lots of water, excercize, avoid drinking alcohol and
avoid smoking cigarettes.
What are things the liver does?
- cleans your blood
- makes a chemical called bile
- stores extra energy for your body
- makes antibodies that kill germs
