holocrine
/ˈhɑləkrɪn/
adjective
- Relating to a type of gland secretion in which the entire cell disintegrates to release its contents, as in sebaceous glands.
- In biology class, we learned that holocrine secretion destroys the gland cell itself.
- The sebaceous glands in human skin are holocrine glands that release oil when the cells break down.
- Unlike merocrine glands, holocrine glands release their product by rupturing the cell membrane.
Antonyms