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U1: Exocrine glands secrete to the surface of the body or the lumen of
the gut.
Exocrine glands produce and secrete substances via a duct onto an epithelial
surface either:
Nervous Mechanism:
The sight and smell of food triggers an immediate response by
which gastric juice is secreted by the stomach pre-ingestion
When food enters the stomach it causes distension, which is
detected by stretch receptors in the stomach lining
Signals are sent to the brain, which triggers the release of digestive
hormones to achieve sustained gastric stimulation
Hormonal Mechanism:
Gastrin is secreted into the bloodstream from the gastric pits of the
stomach and stimulates the release of stomach acids
If stomach pH drops too low (becomes too acidic), gastrin secretion
is inhibited by gut hormones (secretin and somatostatin)
When digested food (chyme) passes into the small intestine, the
duodenum also releases digestive hormones:
Secretin and cholecystokinin (CCK) stimulate the pancreas and
liver to release digestive juices
Pancreatic juices contain bicarbonate ions which neutralise
stomach acids, while the liver produces bile to emulsify fats
Exocrine glands have ducts through which they secrete their product
Acini are lined by a single layer of secretory cells which release the
exocrine product into the lumen of the duct via secretory vehicles.
Secretory cells are held together by tight junctions, and possess a highly
developed rough ER and golgi network for material secretion.
List three structural features of exocrine glands:
1. Basement membrane
2. Secretory cells acinus (cluster of secretory cells)
3. Duct cell
Stomach acid
U4: Acid conditions in the stomach favour some
hydrolysis reactions and help to control pathogens in
ingested food.