Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

How can chicken liver still produce its enzymes even though its been removed from the chicken's body?
-Please reply

Hi there,

Once an organ has been removed from an animal's body, it technically does not function any more. There are ways to get organs to function in vitro, or outside of the organism, but this requires a very careful lab setup. You can, however, detect the enzymes that were already produced in the liver and are thus still present in the tissue.

Does this answer your question?

Heather