What term describes the expulsion or secretion of material out of the cell?

What term describes the expulsion or secretion of material out of the cell?

• A. Exocytosis
• B. Endocytosis
• C. Osmosis
• D. Pinocytosis

Answer: (A)

Exocytosis is the process in which materials are expelled from a cell. This mechanism involves the transport of vesicles that contain the substances to be released, which then fuse with the plasma membrane, ultimately leading to the secretion of their contents outside the cell. This process is crucial for various functions, including the release of hormones, neurotransmitters, and other important biomolecules. In contrast, endocytosis is the process of taking in materials by engulfing them with the cell membrane. Osmosis refers to the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane, driven by concentration differences. Pinocytosis is a specific type of endocytosis that is often described as "cell drinking," where the cell ingests fluid and small solutes. Thus, the clear definition and function of exocytosis make it the correct choice for describing the expulsion or secretion of material out of the cell.

Exocytosis is the process in which materials are expelled from a cell. This mechanism involves the transport of vesicles that contain the substances to be released, which then fuse with the plasma membrane, ultimately leading to the secretion of their contents outside the cell. This process is crucial for various functions, including the release of hormones, neurotransmitters, and other important biomolecules.

In contrast, endocytosis is the process of taking in materials by engulfing them with the cell membrane. Osmosis refers to the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane, driven by concentration differences. Pinocytosis is a specific type of endocytosis that is often described as "cell drinking," where the cell ingests fluid and small solutes. Thus, the clear definition and function of exocytosis make it the correct choice for describing the expulsion or secretion of material out of the cell.