Glandular Tissues and Cell Secretion Flashcards
What is a gland?
An epithelial cell or collection of cell specialised for secretion
How can glands be classified?
- Destination
- Structure
- Nature
- Method
What can glands be classified into based on destination?
NAME?
What do exocrine glands have?
Ducts
Where do exocrine glands secrete?
Onto epithelial surfaces
What do endocrine glands produce?
Hormones
Where do endocrine glands secrete?
Into the bloodstream
What can glands be classified into base on structure?
NAME?
What are the possible differences between the secretory part of a gland?
- Is it unicellular or multicellular?
- It it acinar (alveolar) or tubular?
- Is it coiled or branched?
What are the different types of duct systems?
- Simple gland
- Compound gland
What is meant by a simple gland?
Single duct
What is meant by a compound gland?
Branched ducts
How to ducts branch?
From main duct → interlobular → intralobular → intercalated
What do ducts define?
The structure of complex glands
What kind of gland is a goblet cell?
Unicellular exocrine
Where are goblet cells found?
In pseudostratified epithelium of respiratory system
Where is the ion channel molecule CFTR normally found?
The apical membrane
In what condition is the CFTR protein not present?
Cystic Fibrosis
Why is the CFTR protein not present in CF?
The mutant protein is normally destroyed before it reaches the apical membrane
What is the result of the absent CFTR gene?
Cl - transport across membrane seriously compromised
What is the result to mucous of the compromisation of Cl - transport across the membrane?
It becomes viscous
Why does faulty Cl - transport lead to viscous mucous?
The lack of Cl - , and therefore Na + (as sodium usually follows Cl - ), changes the osmotic potential, which means that water doesn’t leave the epithelium in sufficient quantities, so the mucus is not adequately hydrated, thus becoming viscous
What problems does viscous mucus cause?
- Serious pulmonary infection
- Meconium ileus
- Constipation
- Invagination of parts of GI tract
How does viscous mucus result in serious pulmonary infection?
Because the mucus can’t be as readily moved to oropharynx for swallowing
What is meconium ileus?
Inability to pass first faeces
What causes the GI symptoms of CF?
Viscous mucus of the GI tract
What happens to pancreatic ducts as they merge towards epithelium?
They become bigger
When are multicellular glands considered simple?
If the ducts do not branch
Give the 4 types of simple glands
- Simple tubular
- Simple coiled tubular
- Simple branched tubular
- Simple acinar
When are multicellular glands compound?
If the ducts branch
Give the 3 types of compound glands
NAME?
What is a compound tubuloalveolar gland?
A mixture of tubular and alveolar
What can glands be classified into by nature of secretion?
- Mucous
- Serous
What do mucous glands produce?
Secretions that contain mucins
What are mucins?
Highly glycosylated polypeptides
What happens to mucins with later?
They swell a lot
How do mucous cells stain with H&E sections?
Poorly
What do serous membranes secrete?
NAME?
How do serous cells stain in H&E sections?
Pink, as they are eosinophilic
What can glands by classified into based on method of secretion?
NAME?
What kind of secretion do the vast majority glands use?
Merocrine
What is merocine secretion also known as?
Exocytosis
Describe the process of merocrine secretion
- Membrane bound component approaches cell surface
- Bounded membrane fuses with plasma membrane
- Contents in continuity with extracellular space
What has happened to the plasma membrane following merocrine secretion?
It is transient larger
What must happen to the plasma membrane following merocrine secretion?
It must be retrived
Why must the plasma membrane be retrieved following merocrine secretion?
It stabilised the cell SA, otherwise the membrane would get very big
Describe the process of apocrine secretion
- Non-membrane bound structure approaches the cell surface membrane
- Makes contact and pushes up apical membrane, so a thin layer of cytoplasm drapes around the droplet
- Membrane surrounding droplet pinches off from the cell
Give an example of a type of molecule that may use apocrine secretion?
Lipid
What happens to the plasma membrane following apocrine secretion?
It is transiently smaller
What needs to be done following apocrine secretion?
Membrane needs to be added to regain the area
Give an example of where apocrine secretion occurs?
Mammary gland
What is secreted from the acini of the mammary gland?
Milk
What is needed to assist secretion in the mammary gland?
Myoepithelial cells
What kind of secretion to apocrine sweat glands use?
Merocrine