Which of the following is NOT a recognized role of the liver in energy metabolism?

• A. Produces insulin
• B. Stores glycogen
• C. Metabolizes nutrients
• D. Performs gluconeogenesis

Answer: (A)

Insulin production is not a liver function. The liver handles energy metabolism by storing glucose as glycogen, metabolizing nutrients to generate energy or build stores, and producing glucose again when needed through gluconeogenesis. Insulin, the hormone that regulates blood glucose, is made by pancreatic beta cells, not by the liver, and it signals the liver and other tissues to take up glucose and modulate glucose production. So the tasks of storing glycogen, metabolizing nutrients, and performing gluconeogenesis fit the liver’s roles in energy metabolism, while insulin production does not.