Glands

Question 1

How can glands be classified?

Answer 1

By:
• Method of secretion
• Number of cells
• Shape (either of secretory component or of tubular system)
• Type of secretory product
• Type of secretion

Question 2

What are the two types of glands (method of secretion)?

Answer 2

• Endocrine

* Exocrine

Question 3

What is an endocrine gland?

Answer 3

A gland that secretes hormones into the blood. It lacks a duct system and has no connections to internal/external surfaces.

Question 4

Characteristics of the endocrine gland

Answer 4

• No duct system
• No connections to internal/external surfaces
• Produces hormones
• Near blood vessels
• High diversity in morphology

Question 5

What is an exocrine gland?

Answer 5

A gland that secretes directly into a lumen or free surface.

Question 6

Three types of secretory product

Answer 6

Serous
Mucous
Mixed

Question 7

Serous (secretory product)

Answer 7

Clear, watery fluid (e.g. exocrine pancreas - enzymes)

Question 8

Mucous (secretory product)

Answer 8

More viscous fluid (e.g. goblet cells - mucus)

Question 9

Mixed (secretory product)

Answer 9

mixture of serous and mucous secretion (e.g. some salivary glands)

Question 10

3 types of secretion

Answer 10

Merocrine
Apocrine
Holocrine

Question 11

Merocrine secretion

Answer 11

Exocytosis; cell membrane intact

Most glands are like this

Question 12

Apocrine secretion

Answer 12

‘Decapitation’ secretion:
cells secrete their product by destroying their apex membrane so that the product flows out of the cell into the excretion duct; after secretion the cell regenerates its apex membrane
e.g. mammary & sweat glands

Question 13

Holocrine secretion

Answer 13

Cell membrane rupture; detachment and cell death