What is apocrine secretion?

Apocrine secretion is characterized by the shedding of a portion of the glandular cell's cytoplasm along with the secreted product. In this process, the apical portion of the cell membrane, along with a portion of the cytoplasm, bulges off to release its contents. This mechanism allows for the secretion of larger droplets of substance while preserving the integrity of the cell's overall structure.

This mode of secretion is often associated with certain exocrine glands, such as mammary glands, where it plays a key role in milk production. Unlike other secretion modes, apocrine secretion differentiates itself by not fully destroying the cells involved; instead, it allows for the cell to remain functional and capable of continuous secretion.

The other options highlight different secretion mechanisms: intact cell release refers to merocrine secretion, while complete cell destruction is indicative of holocrine secretion. Active cellular uptake does not define any excretion mode in this context. Understanding apocrine secretion helps clarify the diverse strategies cells use to secrete substances and maintain their cellular viability.