Question

________is the largest gland in the body.

Answer 1

Hint: There are two types of glands, exocrine and endocrine glands. endocrine glands discharge their respective substances directly into the bloodstream rather than through a duct. These endocrine glands belong to the body’s control system and they produce hormones that help to regulate the functions of cells and tissues. Some glands are specific for male (testes) / female (ovaries).

Complete answer:
The liver is the largest gland in the human body and is situated on the right edge of the abdomen. The liver is split into the left and the right lobe separated by the falciform ligament. The hepatocytes, cells of the liver have a special potential to reproduce in response to any liver injury.

Some points about the function of the liver are listed below:
- Carries out the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates and produces and excretes bile
- It is responsible to discharge cholesterol, bilirubin, drugs, and hormones and to activate enzymes.
- It stores vitamins, minerals, and glycogen.
- Bile is released into the duodenum.
- and helps in the digestion of fats. The Liver secretes bile, which has no enzymes in it. The liver absorbs extra glucose from the blood and frees it back when needed.
- It is responsible to synthesize plasma proteins namely albumin and clotting factors.
- It detoxifies the blood and purifies it.
- Production of bile, which helps in the digestion and absorption of fats, vitamins, and cholesterol.
- Vitamins A, D, E, K, and B12 are stored in the liver.
- Also stores iron in the form of ferritin to form new red blood cells.

Hence, The correct statement is ‘’Liver is the largest gland in the body’’.

Additional information:
- The pancreas is the 2nd largest gland in the human body. It secretes pancreatic juice into the duodenum. The juice changes the acidic food from the stomach into slightly basic food. It is very rich in digestive enzymes and helps in the digestion of starch, fats, proteins, and nucleic acids.
- It produces hormones such as insulin and glucagon.
- Insulin is produced by the β cells in the pancreas and it helps in regulating the blood glucose levels in the body from getting too high.

Note: Liver is a very important gland as it is responsible for carrying out more than 500 vital tasks. Moreover, it is the only organ in the body that shows a remarkable property of regeneration and it can regrow rapidly as long as it is kept healthy.