A histology slide of skin appendages shows a sebaceous gland whose cells rupture completely to discharge their entire contents along with the cell debris into the hair follicle. Which mode of secretion does this represent?
- A Merocrine
- B Holocrine ✓
- C Apocrine
- D Cytocrine
Correct answer: B. Holocrine
Explanation
In holocrine secretion the whole cell disintegrates to release its product, so the secretory cells are continuously replaced by division of basal cells. Sebaceous glands are the classic example. Merocrine secretion releases product by exocytosis with the cell intact, as in salivary glands and pancreas. Apocrine secretion pinches off the apical cytoplasm, as in mammary glands. Cytocrine refers to transfer of material between cells, such as melanin transfer to keratinocytes.
Reference: Wheater's Functional Histology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.