Which is a direct outcome of the liver’s metabolic function?

The liver plays a crucial role in metabolism, and one of its key functions is the conversion of ammonia into urea. This process, known as the urea cycle, is vital because ammonia is a toxic byproduct of protein metabolism. The liver takes ammonia, which can accumulate and lead to harmful effects, and transforms it into urea, which is much less toxic and can be safely excreted by the kidneys through urine.

This detoxification process is essential for maintaining nitrogen balance in the body and preventing the toxicity associated with excess ammonia. The liver's ability to perform this conversion highlights its importance in metabolic functions, particularly in handling the waste products of protein digestion and metabolism.

In contrast, while the liver is involved in many metabolic processes, it does not directly produce thyroxine (a hormone of the thyroid gland), secrete insulin (produced by the pancreas), or absorb glucose (which primarily occurs in the intestines). Therefore, the conversion of ammonia into urea is a direct outcome of the liver's metabolic function.