Which of the following is a primary function of the liver?

The primary function of the liver involves filtering blood, which is crucial for maintaining overall health. The liver is responsible for detoxifying blood by metabolizing and removing toxins, drugs, and other harmful substances. It also processes nutrients absorbed from the digestive tract, effectively regulating the chemical composition of blood. This filtering function is essential for producing bile, managing blood clotting factors, and regulating blood sugar levels.

While producing insulin is a vital process, it is primarily performed by the pancreas, not the liver. Similarly, while the liver plays a significant role in digestion by producing bile for fat emulsification, it does not directly initiate the digestion process itself. Lastly, the liver does not store calcium; this function is primarily associated with bones and the kidneys. Thus, the liver's main role in filtering blood establishes its critical function within the body's metabolic and homeostatic processes.