How Do You Spell MEROCRINE?

Pronunciation: [mˈɛɹəkɹˌa͡ɪn] (IPA)

Merocrine is a term used in biology to describe a type of glandular secretion. It is spelt as /mɛrəˌkraɪn/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "mer" is pronounced as "me(r)" with a short "e" sound, followed by "o" pronounced as "ə". The second syllable "crine" is pronounced as "kraɪn" with a long "i" sound. Together, the word is pronounced as "meh-ruh-krine". The correct spelling of scientific terms is crucial to avoid misinterpretation of the concept and to maintain accuracy.

MEROCRINE Meaning and Definition

1. Merocrine is an adjective used in the field of biology and physiology to describe a specific mode of secretion in glands. It refers to a mechanism by which substances are released from cells via exocytosis, without the loss of cytoplasm or damage to the cell. In this process, secretory vesicles containing the substance fuse with the cell membrane and release their contents into the extracellular space.

   The term "merocrine" is derived from the Greek words "meros," meaning "part," and "krinō," meaning "to separate." This term is used in contrast to other modes of secretion, such as holocrine and apocrine, where the cells undergo damage or lose parts of their cytoplasm during the secretion process.

   Merocrine secretion is commonly observed in various exocrine glands of the body, including salivary glands, pancreas, and sweat glands. It is characterized by the release of proteins, enzymes, electrolytes, and other substances necessary for physiological processes or as defense mechanisms.

   One notable example of merocrine secretion is the production of saliva by salivary glands. The cells of these glands synthesize and package enzymes and other components into secretory vesicles. When a stimulus triggers the secretion process, these vesicles fuse with the cell membrane, releasing their contents into the ducts of the gland and eventually into the oral cavity.

   Overall, the term "merocrine" describes a specific mode of secretion in which the secretory cell releases its contents via exocytosis without any significant cell damage, making it an integral process in various vital functions of the body.

2. Noting a gland the product of which is secreted by the cells, the latter not being thereby destroyed, such as a mucous gland; opposed to holocrine.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for MEROCRINE

• meracrine
• nerocrine
• kerocrine
• jerocrine
• mwrocrine
• msrocrine
• mdrocrine
• mrrocrine
• m4rocrine
• m3rocrine
• meeocrine
• medocrine
• mefocrine
• metocrine
• me5ocrine
• me4ocrine
• mericrine
• merkcrine
• merlcrine
• merpcrine

Etymology of MEROCRINE

The word "merocrine" is derived from two Greek roots: "mero" meaning "part" or "segment" and "krinō" meaning "to separate" or "to secrete". The term was created to describe the type of secretion produced by certain glandular cells, in which the cells release their secretions through exocytosis without losing any part of their cytoplasm, thus only a part (mero-) of the cell is involved in the process of secretion (krinō).