What term describes a ductless gland that secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream?

What term describes a ductless gland that secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream?

• A. Exocrine gland
• B. Endocrine gland
• C. Glandular tissue
• D. Secretory gland

Answer: (B)

Endocrine glands are glands that are ductless and release hormones directly into the bloodstream. Hormones act as chemical messengers, traveling through blood to distant target organs where they bind to specific receptors and trigger responses. This is different from exocrine glands, which secrete their products through ducts to a surface or body cavity, such as saliva from salivary glands or sweat from sweat glands. Terms like glandular tissue or secretory gland are too general and don’t specify the method of secretion, so they don’t identify the gland responsible for delivering hormones into the blood.

Endocrine glands are glands that are ductless and release hormones directly into the bloodstream. Hormones act as chemical messengers, traveling through blood to distant target organs where they bind to specific receptors and trigger responses. This is different from exocrine glands, which secrete their products through ducts to a surface or body cavity, such as saliva from salivary glands or sweat from sweat glands. Terms like glandular tissue or secretory gland are too general and don’t specify the method of secretion, so they don’t identify the gland responsible for delivering hormones into the blood.