Exocrine vs Endocrine Glands

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following cellular processes is most directly associated with merocrine secretion?

  • Intracellular accumulation of secretory products.
  • Exocytosis. (correct)
  • Apical membrane blebbing.
  • Holistic cell lysis.

What is the primary structural difference between simple and compound exocrine glands?

  • The presence of myoepithelial cells.
  • The shape of the secretory portion.
  • The type of secretion produced.
  • The degree of duct branching. (correct)

A gland that releases its secretion through the rupture of the entire cell is classified as which of the following?

  • Endocrine.
  • Merocrine.
  • Apocrine.
  • Holocrine. (correct)

Which of the following characteristics distinguishes endocrine glands from exocrine glands?

<p>The destination of their secretions. (D)</p>
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Which secretion type is characterized by a thick, glycoprotein-rich product?

<p>Mucous. (B)</p>
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In the context of gland development, what determines whether a gland becomes exocrine rather than endocrine?

<p>The presence or absence of a connection to the surface epithelium. (D)</p>
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What is the role of myoepithelial cells in exocrine glands?

<p>To contract and aid in secretion. (B)</p>
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Which secretion mechanism results in cellular damage?

<p>Holocrine. (C)</p>
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How are exocrine glands classified based on the shape of their secretory units?

<p>Tubular and alveolar (acinar). (B)</p>
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Which cell type is exclusively associated with exocrine glands and aids in the expulsion of secretions?

<p>Myoepithelial cells. (C)</p>
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What is the fundamental process by which glands develop from epithelial tissue?

<p>Invagination. (C)</p>
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Salivary glands are an example of which type of secretion?

<p>Merocrine. (A)</p>
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Which of the following secretion types contains both serous and mucous components within the same gland?

<p>Mixed (seromucous). (C)</p>
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Endocrine glands differ fundamentally from exocrine glands in that endocrine glands:

<p>secrete directly into the blood. (C)</p>
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Which type of exocrine gland exhibits unbranched ducts?

<p>Simple. (A)</p>
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Which of the following is an example of a gland that utilizes apocrine secretion?

<p>Mammary glands. (B)</p>
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What characteristic defines serous secretions?

<p>Watery, protein-rich and enzyme-secreting. (A)</p>
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Which exocrine gland type is best described as having a round, sac-like secretory shape?

<p>Alveolar (acinar). (A)</p>
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Which of the following BEST describes the secretions of sebaceous glands?

<p>Holocrine, lipid-rich secretions. (B)</p>
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A histological sample of a gland shows branched ducts connecting to multiple tubular secretory units. This gland would be classified as:

<p>Compound tubular. (A)</p>
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What cellular feature primarily facilitates the function of myoepithelial cells?

<p>Contractile filaments. (B)</p>
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Compared to serous glands, mucous glands are MOST likely to exhibit which of the following characteristics?

<p>A wider lumen. (A)</p>
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If a developing gland loses its connection to the surface epithelium and becomes surrounded by capillaries, what type of gland will it differentiate into?

<p>Endocrine. (A)</p>
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Which combination of gland classification and secretory product is CORRECT?

<p>Holocrine gland - sebum. (B)</p>
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How does the secretion process of merocrine glands differ from that of apocrine glands?

<p>Merocrine glands secrete via exocytosis, whereas apocrine glands lose part of their cytoplasm. (A)</p>
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Which gland is MOST likely to be associated with a rich capillary network surrounding its secretory cells?

<p>Thyroid gland. (D)</p>
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Consider a gland that produces a secretion containing both watery, enzyme-rich components and glycoprotein-rich mucus. This gland is BEST classified as:

<p>Mixed (seromucous). (B)</p>
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Unlike endocrine glands, exocrine glands typically:

<p>Possess ducts that carry secretions to a specific location. (C)</p>
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A pathologist examining a gland biopsy observes cell fragments within the secretory product. Which secretory mechanism is MOST likely at play?

<p>Holocrine. (D)</p>
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Based SOLELY on their mechanisms of secretion, which pair of glands are MOST similar?

<p>Salivary and mammary. (A)</p>
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If a gland is described as "tubuloacinar", what does this imply about its structure?

<p>It has both tubular and alveolar (acinar) secretory parts. (D)</p>
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Myoepithelial cells contribute to glandular function through what primary action?

<p>Contracting to expel secretions. (C)</p>
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Cells of endocrine glands would likely contain more:

<p>Smooth endoplasmic reticulum. (A)</p>
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Assume a scientist introduces a mutation that prevents epithelial cells from invaginating during gland development. What outcome is MOST likely?

<p>Gland development will be arrested. (C)</p>
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Given that mammary glands secrete milk via apocrine secretion, what cellular components would be MOST prominent in their secretions?

<p>Lipid droplets and cellular fragments. (C)</p>
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Which statement accurately captures a key difference between serous and mucous exocrine secretions?

<p>Serous secretions are watery and enzyme-rich; mucous secretions are viscous and glycoprotein-rich. (A)</p>
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Which feature would classify a gland as compound rather than simple?

<p>Branched duct system. (C)</p>
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During embryonic development, if a group of epithelial cells invaginates into the underlying connective tissue but maintains its connection to the surface epithelium via a duct, which type of gland will most likely result?

<p>An exocrine gland that releases its secretions through a duct. (B)</p>
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A researcher is studying a new drug that inhibits the function of myoepithelial cells. Which of the following exocrine gland functions would be MOST directly affected by this drug?

<p>The contraction of acini to aid in secretion expulsion. (D)</p>
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A gland is described as having a branched duct with multiple acinar secretory units. Which classification BEST fits this description?

<p>Compound acinar. (A)</p>
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If a drug were designed to selectively disrupt the exocytosis process in glandular cells, which type of secretion would be MOST affected?

<p>Merocrine. (B)</p>
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A biopsy of a salivary gland reveals cells with prominent rough endoplasmic reticulum and numerous Golgi complexes. Which type of secretion are these cells PRIMARILY associated with?

<p>Serous secretion. (B)</p>
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Flashcards

What are glands?

Specialized epithelial structures that produce and secrete substances.

What are exocrine glands?

Glands that secrete via ducts.

What are endocrine glands?

Glands that secrete hormones directly into the blood without ducts.

How do glands develop?

Glands form by invagination of epithelium into connective tissue.

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How do exocrine glands develop?

Maintain a connection to the surface.

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How do endocrine glands develop?

They lose connection and are surrounded by capillaries.

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What are myoepithelial cells?

Contractile cells at acini base.

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What are simple exocrine glands?

Have unbranched ducts.

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What are compound exocrine glands?

Have branched ducts.

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What is a tubular gland?

Tube-shaped secretory part.

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What is an acinar (alveolar) gland?

Round, sac-like secretory part.

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What is merocrine secretion?

Secretion via exocytosis, no cell damage.

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What is apocrine secretion?

Apical cytoplasm pinched off.

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What is holocrine secretion?

Entire cell bursts to release secretion.

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What is serous secretion?

Watery, protein-rich, enzyme-secreting.

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What is mucous secretion?

Thick, glycoprotein-rich mucus.

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What is mixed (seromucous) secretion?

Both serous and mucous secretions in the same gland.

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Study Notes

Exocrine Gland Classification by Ducts

  • Simple exocrine glands have unbranched ducts
  • Compound exocrine glands have branched ducts

Exocrine Gland Classification by Secretory Shape

  • Tubular glands are tube-shaped
  • Acinar (alveolar) glands are round and sac-like

Glands

  • Specialized epithelial structures produce and secrete substances
  • Glands are either exocrine using ducts, or endocrine secreting directly into the blood

Gland Development

  • Glands form through the invagination of epithelium into connective tissue
  • Exocrine glands maintain a connection to the surface
  • Endocrine glands lose their connection and are surrounded by capillaries

Myoepithelial Cells

  • Contractile cells located at the base of acini
  • Aid in squeezing secretions out into ducts
  • Found only in exocrine glands

Endocrine Glands

  • These glands lack ducts, secreting hormones directly into the blood
  • They are surrounded by a rich capillary network

Secretion Modes

  • Merocrine secretion occurs through exocytosis without causing cell damage (e.g., salivary glands)
  • Apocrine secretion involves pinching off the apical cytoplasm (e.g., mammary glands)
  • Holocrine secretion involves the entire cell bursting (e.g., sebaceous glands)

Secretion Types

  • Serous secretions are watery, protein-rich, and enzyme-secreting
  • Mucous secretions are thick, glycoprotein-rich mucus
  • Mixed (seromucous) secretions contain both serous and mucous components in the same gland

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