Secrecy

The process of production and secretion of substances from cells. Secretion differs from excretion in that the substances secreted perform beneficial functions for the secreting organism, while in excretion, waste products are eliminated. In multicellular organisms, some cells are adapted to perform secretion. They can produce enzymes, hormones, various protective substances, and many other products. Such cells are often concentrated in glands. Endocrine glands secrete their products into the blood. Exocrine glands secrete products either outside the organism or into body cavities (e.g., into the digestive tract).

Source | Glossary of Most Commonly Used Biomedical Terms and Concepts | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences | Academician Professor Antanas Praškevičius, Professor Laima Ivanovienė