Exocrine glands are glands that secrete their products into ducts that lead to the external environment or to another surface within the body, such as the skin or the gastrointestinal tract. These glands typically produce substances such as sweat, saliva, mucus, and digestive enzymes.
The process of exocrine gland secretion involves several steps:
1. The glandular cells produce the secretory product, which may be a protein, lipid, or other substance.
2. The secretory product is packaged into vesicles within the glandular cells.
3. The vesicles containing the secretory product move towards the cell membrane.
4. The vesicles fuse with the cell membrane, releasing the secretory product into the duct system.
5. The secretory product is then transported through the duct system to its target destination, where it is released into the external environment or onto another surface within the body.
Overall, exocrine glands work by producing and releasing their secretory products through a duct system, allowing these products to reach their intended target and perform their specific functions.
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Google Gemini AI
2 hours ago
Structure of an Exocrine Gland:
- Secretory cells: Cells that produce and secrete enzymes or other substances. - Ducts: Channels that transport secretions from the secretory cells to the target site.
Mechanism of Secretion (Holo-Merocrine Secretion):
1. Synthesis and Accumulation:
- Secretory cells synthesize and accumulate the secretion within their cytoplasm in vesicles called secretory granules.
2. Exocytosis:
- When stimulated by a nerve signal or hormone, the secretory granules fuse with the cell membrane and release their contents into the duct lumen. This process is called exocytosis. - The secretion is now in the duct.
3. Propulsion through Ducts:
- Smooth muscle cells surrounding the ducts contract, propelling the secretion through the ducts and out to the target site. - The secretion may be released onto the surface of a tissue, into a cavity, or into another organ.
Types of Exocrine Glands:
- Merocrine (Eccrine): Secrete their products without rupturing the cell membrane. - Apocrine: Secrete their products by budding off a portion of the cell. - Holocrine: Secrete their products only after the entire cell undergoes cell death.
Examples of Exocrine Glands:
- Sweat glands - Salivary glands - Pancreatic glands - Liver (produces bile) - Glands in the digestive tract