Question

The spleen of human serves to
1. Generate all blood cells in early foetal life.
2. Produce lymphocytes, monocytes and antibodies in the adult stage.
3. Acts as a blood bank for the period of emergency and controls blood volume in adults.
4. All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: It is the largest lymphatic organ in the human body.

Complete step-by-step answer:
1. Spleen is located in the left upper quadrant i.e in the superior part of the left side of the abdomen.
2. Spleen plays an important part in the immune system of the body by filtering red blood cells.
3. During the process of filtration, the old red blood cells are removed and recycled to new blood cells. Spleen also stores white blood cells and platelets.
4. It helps the immune system to detect foreign bodies and attack them when necessary by purifying the blood.
5. Spleen is made up of two types of pulp: white pulp and red pulp. The spleen is largely made of red pulp. It contains blood filled cavities and it is responsible for filtering blood. The white pulp on the other hand is made up of white blood cells and takes part in the immune system (lymphatic tissue).

6. During the life of the fetus, the spleen has important hematopoietic functions. Later after birth the erythropoietic function ceases and is performed by bone marrow and lymphatic tissue. Hematopoiesis is the ability of an organ to produce all types of blood cells.
7. Spleen also has an ability to store blood in order to use in emergency conditions such as hemorrhage and shock.
So, the correct answer is “Option D) all of the above ”.


Note: Spleen plays a role in phagocytosis and hence helps in breakdown of hemoglobin. The heme part is metabolised to bilirubin and globin part is metabolised to its constituent amino acid.