In humans, approximately one and a half liters of blood pass through the liver each minute. As this occurs, the liver removes waste and toxic matter from the blood, obliterates old red blood cells, and regulates blood volume. The liver is also responsible for producing the digestive enzyme bile and metabolizing fat, protein, and carbohydrates, as well as storing glycogen and synthesizing blood-clotting factors. Yet, the liver does not carry out its many functions independently. The gland works in very close conjunction with the gall bladder and the intestines.