Answer
Mucin are high molecular weight glycoproteins which may take the form of gels or appear as solutes in viscous solutions. Mucous solution is secreted by epithelial lining of the respiratory tract, the digestive tract, the genito-urinary tract, and in the epithelial cells of the cornea. The secretion is actually done by globlet cells of these epithelial linings, and by acini in glandular cells of salivary glands. The mucous fluid serves several important functions; it minimizes physical trauma by supplying lubrication; it is a barrier against chemical insults; it functions in cell signalling, and it binds pathogens or cells that could cause immunological harm.
Work Step by Step
Mucins are glycoproteins or glycosylated proteins. The protein component is synthesized by ribosomes on rough endoplasmic reticulum(RER). After assembly, the protein part of the mucin molecule passes from RER to golgi apparatus. The polysaccharide component is added in the cisternae of the golgi body. Subsequently, vesicles containing mucin molecules bud off from golgi saccules and move through the cytoplasm as the mucin molecules develop into secretory granules.. These vesicle migrate to the plasma membrane and discharges their contents out of the cell by exocytosis
