Correct option is D
Correct Answer: D) Liver
Explanation:
The liver is the largest gland in the human body, weighing approximately 1.2 to 1.5 kilograms in an average adult. It performs multiple vital functions essential for maintaining homeostasis and overall health. The liver is a mixed gland, meaning it has both exocrine and endocrine functions.
Key Functions of the Liver:
- Metabolism Regulation: Plays a crucial role in carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism.
- Detoxification: Removes toxins and harmful substances from the blood.
- Bile Production: Secretes bile, which helps in the digestion and absorption of fats.
- Storage: Stores glycogen, vitamins (A, D, E, K, and B12), and minerals like iron.
- Protein Synthesis: Produces essential proteins, including albumin and clotting factors.
- Immunity: Helps in immune regulation by filtering out bacteria and dead cells from the bloodstream.
Information Booster:
● The thyroid gland, although large, is much smaller than the liver and primarily regulates metabolism through the secretion of hormones like thyroxine.
● Femur is not a gland but the longest bone in the human body.
● Kidney, while critical for filtering blood and forming urine, is not classified as a gland.
● The liver has the ability to regenerate itself, making it unique among human organs.
● It processes approximately 1.5 liters of blood per minute.
Thus, the liver is the largest gland with multifunctional roles in the human body.