What type of gland is responsible for producing sebum?

• A. Sebaceous Glands
• B. Sweat Glands
• C. Sebaceous Follicles
• D. Apocrine Glands

Answer: (A)

Sebum is produced by the skin’s oil glands, called sebaceous glands. These tiny glands are typically attached to hair follicles and lie in the dermis. They release sebum, an oily, lipid-rich substance that lubricates and waterproofs skin and hair. The secretion happens through a holocrine mechanism, where whole cells fill with oil and rupture to release sebum.

Hormonal signals, especially androgens, rise during puberty and boost sebaceous activity, which is why skin can become oilier in adolescence. Sebum helps maintain the skin barrier and provides some antimicrobial protection, but too much can contribute to acne.

This differs from sweat glands, which produce watery sweat for cooling, and from apocrine glands, which secrete a thicker, odor-containing fluid in areas like the armpits. Sebaceous follicles refer to the hair follicle with its associated sebaceous gland, not a separate gland type.