Which gland category secretes hormones directly into the blood?

• A. Endocrine glands
• B. Goblet cells
• C. Mixed glands
• D. Exocrine glands

Answer: (A)

Hormones are released into the bloodstream by endocrine glands, which are ductless. This allows their secretions to travel through the blood to distant target organs. Exocrine glands, by contrast, send their products through ducts to surfaces or cavities (like mucus from goblet cells, saliva, or sweat). Mixed glands have both endocrine and exocrine components, but the defining feature for hormones entering the blood is the endocrine, ductless nature. So the gland category that secretes hormones directly into the blood is endocrine glands.