Which of the following functions as both an endocrine and exocrine gland?

a: Storage of fat - While the skin does contain adipose tissue (fat), its primary function is not fat storage.

b. Body temperature regulation-The skin plays a crucial role in regulating body temperature through processes such as sweating to cool the body down and constriction of blood vessels to conserve heat.

c: Energy production - The skin is not directly involved in energy production; this is primarily carried out by organs like the liver and muscles.

d: Gas exchange - Gas exchange occurs primarily in the lungs, not the skin.

a. Elastic connective tissue: This tissue contains elastic fibers and fibroblasts, providing elasticity and flexibility but not the tightly packed, parallel collagen fiber arrangement.

b. Dense irregular connective tissue: This tissue has collagen fibers arranged in a random, irregular pattern, providing strength in multiple directions but not the parallel arrangement.

c. Reticular connective tissue: This tissue contains reticular fibers forming a network to support soft organs but does not have densely packed collagen fibers.

d. Dense regular connective tissue: This tissue has fibroblasts packed tightly between parallel arrays of collagen fibers, providing great tensile strength along the direction of the fibers. It is found in tendons and ligaments.