Select all functions of the spleen.Multiple select question.T cell developmentDestroys old red blood cellsFilters lymphFilters bloodProduces blood cells

Functions of the Spleen

The spleen is an important organ in the immune system and the circulatory system. It performs several key functions:

1. Destroys old red blood cells: The spleen helps in the recycling of iron from old red blood cells and ultimately removes them from circulation.

2. Filters blood: One of the primary functions of the spleen is to filter blood, removing pathogens, dead cells, and debris, thus maintaining the health of the bloodstream.

3. Filters lymph: While the spleen itself does not filter lymph in the same way as lymph nodes, it does interact with lymphatic fluid and plays a role in immune surveillance. However, lymphatic filtration is primarily a function of lymph nodes.

4. Produces blood cells: The spleen can produce blood cells, particularly during fetal development. In adults, it is mainly involved in the recycling of old blood cells rather than the production of new ones; hematopoiesis (blood cell production) usually occurs in the bone marrow.

5. T cell development: This is mainly not a primary function of the spleen. T cells primarily mature in the thymus gland.

Selected Functions

From the options provided, the correct functions of the spleen are:

• Destroys old red blood cells
• Filters blood
• Produces blood cells (to some extent, especially in fetal development)

Incorrect Options

• Filters lymph (less relevant as a primary function compared to lymph nodes)
• T cell development (this occurs in the thymus, not the spleen)

In summary, the spleen primarily serves to destroy old red blood cells and filter blood, with some capacity for blood cell production, and is not primarily involved in T cell development or lymph filtration.