Question

Which of the following is an example of holocrine gland?
A) Pancreas
B) Testis
C) Sebaceous
D) None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Holocrine glands are glands whose secretions are produced in the cytoplasm of the cell and secretion of the product takes place by rupture of the cell.

Complete Answer:
Let us first understand what an exocrine gland is, an exocrine gland is a gland in which a secretion of substances occurs via a duct. There are three types of exocrine glands,
- Holocrine glands
- Apocrine glands
- Merocrine glands

Option A: Pancreas is an example of both endocrine and exocrine glands. But, as we know that secretion of substances do not require disruption of the pancreatic cell, thus pancreas is not an example of holocrine gland. Therefore, this is the incorrect option.

Option B: Testis is an example of both endocrine and exocrine glands. But, as we know that secretion of substances do not require disruption of the testicular cell, thus testis is not an example of holocrine gland. Therefore, this is the incorrect option.

Option C: Sebaceous glands are present in the skin and they open into a hair which secretes waxy or oily matter called sebum. It helps in lubrication of hair and skin. Sebaceous glands are an example of holocrine gland under exocrine glands as its product, i.e.e sebum is released with dead cells. Therefore, this is the correct option.

Option D: As one of the options is already correct, none of the above cannot be the correct answer. Therefore, this is the incorrect option.

Thus, the correct option is C) sebaceous glands.

Note: As all the options are examples of exocrine glands, it is very important to not get confused. One of the easiest ways of finding the right option is by thinking which of the options actually breaks completely to release its products.