Question:

Which of the following is the largest gland in an adult man?

Updated On: Jun 7, 2022
  • Thymus
  • Liver
  • Thyroid
  • Pancreas
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Liver is endodermal in origin and is the largest gland in human body. It is the busiest and largest chemical factory in the body.
Liver cells secrete bile directly into bile capillaries, which is used in the emulsification and absorption of fats. Besides, it also functions in manufacture of anticoagulant heparin, plasma protein like albumin, fibrinogen and prothrombin and in deamination of proteins.
Thyroid gland (measures $3.7\, cm$ in length and $25\, gm$ in weight in adults) a median endocrine gland located below larynx is the largest endocrine gland in the body. Thyroxine $\left(T_{4}\right)$, produced by thyroid gland, function mainly in controlling metabolism, ie, basal metabolic rate of the body.
Pancreas is a mixed gland (heterocrine gland) with both exocrine and endocrine portions. The average length of pancreas is $12-15 cm$ and weight is $50-70\, gm$. Insulin, glucagon, somatostatin are the hormones secreted by different cells of endocrine portion of pancreas.
Thymus gland (at birth weights $10-12\, gm$, at puberty $20-30\, gm$ and at old age it weighs 3-6 $gm$ ) is mainly concerned with immunological functions but becomes inconspicuous after puberty.
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Notes on Digestive glands

Concepts Used:

Digestive glands - Secretion

Digestion is a type of catabolism that involves the breakdown of food into tiny molecules so that the body may absorb and use it for energy, development and repair. Food gets digested as it travels through the digestive tract of our body. The process of digestion starts in the mouth itself and ends in the large intestine. There are mainly two types of digestion, namely, Mechanical and Chemical digestion.

  • Mechanical Digestion: Mechanical digestion is the physical breakdown of large portions of food into smaller particles that digestive enzymes can access. The mouth does mastication, whereas the small intestine performs segmentation contractions. Food is broken down into little molecules by enzymes, which the body may use for chemical digestion. It ignites with food inserted in the mouth to chew it with teeth.
  • Chemical Digestion: Chemical digestion is a biological process that breaks down macromolecules in food into smaller molecules that may be absorbed into bodily fluids and delivered to cells all throughout the body. Carbohydrates, proteins etc are required to be chemically digested, thus, conversion of proteins into amino acids, lipids into fatty acids etc are forms of chemical digestion. Chemical digestion cannot be successful without mechanical digestion as it greatly increases the surface area of food particles, allowing digestive enzymes to function more efficiently on them.

Digestive Glands are present inside our digestive tract which secrete digestive juices that help in the process of digestion, i.e, breakdown of complex food particles into simpler ones. 

What is a Secretion?

The production and discharge of material from a cell, gland, or organ is referred to as secretion. The secretory products of humans include hormones, enzymes, and saliva. Endocrine glands produce hormones, while gastric glands in the stomach's lining produce enzymes. Hormones are secreted into the bloodstream in order to reach their target.