Question

Kupffer cells of the liver are
A. Loose connective tissue
B. Phagocytic cells
C. Mast cells
D. Fat cells

Answer 1

One of the important functions of the liver is to remove the poisonous substances from blood by their detoxification. Kupffer cells are the large stabilized phagocytic cells that are connected to the lining of the hepatic sinusoids in the liver and serve to eliminate pathogens and debris that infiltrate through the hepatic portal vein at the small intestine. Kupffer cells comprise 80-90% of the tissue macrophages present in the body.

Complete answer:

Option A- Loose connective tissue
Loose connective tissue is a variety of connective tissue that contains areolar tissue, reticular tissue, and adipose tissue. Loose connective tissue is the most popular type of connective tissue in vertebrates. It holds organs in place and connects epithelial tissue to other underlying tissues.

Option B- Phagocytic cells
Phagocytes are a type of white blood cell that performs phagocytosis to engulf bacteria, foreign particles, and dying cells to protect the body. They bind to pathogens and internalize them in a phagosome. Then it acidifies and fuses with lysosomes to destroy the contents.

Option C- Mast cells
A mast cell is also known as a mastocyte or a labrocyte. It is a migrant cell of connective tissue that comprises many granules rich in histamine and heparin. Precisely, it is a type of granulocyte that is derived from the myeloid stem cell and is a part of the immune and neuroimmune systems.

Option D- Fat cells
Adipocytes are also perceived as lipocytes and fat cells. They are the cells that largely comprise adipose tissue, specialized in storing energy as fat. Adipocytes originate from mesenchymal stem cells which give rise to adipocytes through adipogenesis.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Note: The main function of Kupffer cells is to conduct scavenger and phagocytic functions to remove protein complexes, small particles, senescent red blood cells, and cell debris from portal blood flow through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs).