Using the terms provided, fill in the blanks in the following text passage so th
ID: 60311 • Letter: U
Question
Using the terms provided, fill in the blanks in the following text passage so that upon its completion, the text accurately distinguishes the major differences in endocrine versus exocrine glands.
Terms: digestive enzymes, duct systems, endocrine, exocrine, glucagon, inside, insulin, interstitial fluids, outside, small intestine
There are 2 major types of glands found in the body; these 2 types of glands differ primarily in 2 major ways including:
1) are the products the glands secrete released into ___________ or simply into the ______________ bathing the cells from which they are released?
and
2) do the products they secrete remain __________ the body, or are they released __________ of the body to an area continuous with the external environment?
Those glands that release their products directly into the interstitial fluids and whose products tend to remain in and function within the body are called ___________ glands. Examples of this type of gland would be the islet of Langerhans units within the pancreas. Pancreatic beta cells secrete __________ and pancreatic alpha cells secrete __________ to the interstitial fluids around these cells. These signaling molecules act locally or distally to regulate intermediary metabolism and blood glucose levels.
In contrast, those glands that release products into duct systems that carry those products to external epithelial cell surfaces continuous with the external environment are called _______________ glands. An example of this type of gland would be the remainder of the secretory tissue of the pancreas that lies outside of the Islets of Langerhans and makes up the majority of the pancreas. This tissue produces and secretes a vast array of _____________ that are secreted through a complex duct system that ultimately releases them into the lumen of the ___________ part of the digestive tract. Because the digestive tract is open and continuous with the external environment at either end (think of Dr. Z's 'floss your intestines' visual....) these enzymes are essentially released and technically function outside of the body.
Thus, the pancreas is an usual gland in that it has both endocrine and exocrine components!
Explanation / Answer
1) are the products the glands secrete released inside or simply into the duct systems bathing the cells from which they are released?
and
2) do the products they secrete remain outside the body, or are they released interstitial fluids of the body to an area continuous with the external environment?
Endocrine glands are ductless glands that release their hormones into the blood, while exocrine glands are connected to target site with a duct and release their hormones into the ducts. The ducts carry hormones to the target site.
Those glands that release their products directly into the interstitial fluids and whose products tend to remain in and function within the body are called endocrine glands. Examples of this type of gland would be the islet of Langerhans units within the pancreas. Pancreatic beta cells secrete insulin and pancreatic alpha cells secrete glucagon to the interstitial fluids around these cells. These signaling molecules act locally or distally to regulate intermediary metabolism and blood glucose levels.
In contrast, those glands that release products into duct systems that carry those products to external epithelial cell surfaces continuous with the external environment are called exocrine glands. An example of this type of gland would be the remainder of the secretory tissue of the pancreas that lies outside of the Islets of Langerhans and makes up the majority of the pancreas. This tissue produces and secretes a vast array of digestive enzymes (pancreatic juice) that are secreted through a complex duct system that ultimately releases them into the lumen of the small intestine part of the digestive tract. Because the digestive tract is open and continuous with the external environment at either end (think of Dr. Z's 'floss your intestines' visual....) these enzymes are essentially released and technically function outside of the body.
Thus, the pancreas is a mixed gland in that it has both endocrine and exocrine components!
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