Final answer:
The Malpighian tubules in an insect serve a similar function as the human liver, filtering waste from the hemolymph, which is analogous to blood in insects.
Step-by-step explanation:
In an insect, the Malpighian tubules function like a human liver and filter its hemolymph. These tubules are a crucial part of the insect's excretory system, responsible for the elimination of nitrogenous waste and other solutes from the blood, or hemolymph. Insects, unlike humans, have an open circulatory system and do not have kidneys; instead, the Malpighian tubules carry out the role of filtering waste from the hemolymph and then work with the hindgut to reabsorb water, effectively maintaining the insect's fluid balance. This function is not entirely the same but is analogous to the liver and kidneys in humans which are central to the metabolic and excretory processes.
In insects, the Malpighian tubules function as a crucial excretory organ, performing roles analogous to the human liver by filtering hemolymph and managing waste elimination. Recognizing these adaptations enhances our understanding of the diverse strategies organisms employ to maintain internal homeostasis.