What is one of the spleen's functions in adult mammals?

The spleen plays several key roles in the immune system and overall blood maintenance in adult mammals. One important function is the filtration of blood. Within the spleen, macrophages and other immune cells can identify and remove old or damaged blood cells, as well as pathogens that are present in the bloodstream. This contributes significantly to maintaining the health of the circulating blood and ensures that the body is better protected against infections.

While the spleen does contribute indirectly to the education and maturation of lymphocytes, particularly in terms of interaction with pathogens, its primary function in adults is related to blood filtration rather than education of T lymphocytes, which predominantly occurs in the thymus. The spleen is also not a primary site for the production of red blood cells in adults, as that function shifts mostly to the bone marrow after the neonatal period. Destruction of bacteria does occur as part of the immune response facilitated by the spleen, but this activity is closely tied to its role in filtering the blood to remove pathogens.