Which is a source of heparin?

Answer

Heparin is a naturally occurring anticoagulant that is primarily derived from animal sources. Specifically, it is extracted from the intestinal mucosa of pigs or the lungs of cattle. This makes the correct answer to the question 'an animal.' To elaborate, heparin is used in medicine to prevent blood clots and is crucial during surgeries and in patients with certain medical conditions. It works by inhibiting the formation of fibrin clots and enhancing the body's natural inhibitors of clotting. Synthetic alternatives exist but the majority utilized in healthcare settings is still derived from animal sources due to the complex nature of its structure that is difficult to replicate synthetically.