Question

Sebum is secreted by
A. Ceruminous glands
B. Sweat glands
C. Sebaceous glands
D. Mammary glands

Answer 1

Hint: The sebum is secreted by an exocrine gland that opens into hair follicles. In addition, the gland which secretes sebum is present majorly over the face and scalp and present in other skin areas except for the palms of hands and feet.

Step by step answer:Sebum is the oily lubricating secretion secreted by a gland through a process called Holocrine secretion. The process of secretion starts with lipids formation in sac-like glands. These lipids stay in sacs for at least a week after which the sac erupts and passes the sebum out through the hair follicles. Ceruminous glands are found on the external auditory canal. These glands produce the earwax by mixing their oily secretions with sebum and dead epidermal cells. The secretion is called cerumen and helps in cleansing of the external auditory canal. Also, it lubricates the eardrum.
Sweat glands as their name suggest produce sweat and are present under the epithelial surface. They are exocrine glands and secrete sweat (watery saline liquid) through the duct pathway. Sebaceous glands are also exocrine glands present beside the hair follicles. They produce secretion rich in lipids which are called the sebum. The sebum is released through the hair follicles as the sebaceous gland opens in the hair follicles. The mammary glands are the milk-producing glands that are found in the breasts of female mammals. They are exocrine glands having clustered globular shape. They do not produce any oily or sweat like substance.
So, the correct answer is option C, sebaceous glands

Note: Endocrine glands release their secretions on the epithelial surface through a duct. The sebum is an oily and lubricating substance that is necessary for our skin to provide it with a waterproof covering. It also reduces water loss from the body and protects our skin from harmful infections.