Holocrine secretion occurs when a gland cell becomes packed with secretory products and then bursts apart; the secretion is released and the cell dies.

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Holocrine secretion is a mode of secretion in which the entire cell disintegrates to release the secretory product. The secretory products are synthesized and stored in the cytoplasm of the gland cell, and when the cell becomes fully packed, it ruptures and dies to release the secretion. This is in contrast to merocrine secretion, where the secretory product is released through exocytosis without any damage to the gland cell.

Holocrine Secretion Occurs When a Gland Cell Becomes Packed with Secretory