The option that is not a function of the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) is a) to produce hormones.
CSF plays several critical roles in the central nervous system, including:
- Transporting nutrients: CSF helps in the distribution of essential nutrients and removes waste products from the brain.
- Protecting the spinal cord: It acts as a protective cushion that safeguards the spinal cord from injury and trauma.
- Cushioning the brain: CSF surrounds the brain, providing buoyancy that reduces the effective weight of the brain and limits movement within the skull during head movements.
However, CSF does not produce hormones; that function is primarily associated with glands such as the pituitary gland. Therefore, the correct answer is option (a).