endocrine gland

any ductless gland that secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream to act on distant targets. Such glands include the pituitary gland, adrenal gland, thyroid gland, gonads (testis and ovary), and islets of Langerhans. Together, they comprise the endocrine system. Compare exocrine gland.

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Psychology term of the day

July 27th 2024

trinucleotide repeat

trinucleotide repeat

a contiguous repetition of the same three nucleotides within a nucleic acid (DNA or RNA). The occurrence of extra trinucleotide repeats in certain genes causes dysfunction, inluding Huntington’s disease and fragile X syndrome.