Merokriinisestä

Merokriinisestä refers to a mode of secretion in exocrine glands. In merocrine secretion, the gland cell releases its secretory product through exocytosis without suffering any damage or loss of cytoplasm. The cell membrane remains intact throughout the process. This is in contrast to apocrine secretion, where the apex of the cell pinches off to release the secretion, and holocrine secretion, where the entire cell disintegrates to release its contents.

Merocrine secretion is the most common type of exocrine secretion. Examples of glands that utilize merocrine secretion include salivary glands, sweat glands (eccrine sweat glands), and most exocrine glands of the digestive tract. The secretory products are typically released in small vesicles that fuse with the plasma membrane, expelling their contents outside the cell. This method allows the gland cells to continue functioning and secreting over extended periods without needing to regenerate. The released substances can be proteins, enzymes, or other molecules depending on the specific gland's function. This efficient mechanism is crucial for bodily processes like lubrication, digestion, and thermoregulation.