What type of molecules do glands primarily secrete?

Glands primarily secrete proteins, which play crucial roles in various bodily functions. Proteins secreted by glands can include hormones, enzymes, and antibodies, among others. For example, the pancreas releases digestive enzymes, while the anterior pituitary gland secretes hormones such as growth hormone and prolactin, which are essential for growth and metabolic processes.

While carbohydrates and fats are also important biomolecules, they do not represent the primary type of secretion from glands. Carbohydrates are often involved in energy storage and cellular structure but are not directly secreted by glands in the same way that proteins are. Fats, or lipids, function mainly as energy sources and cellular components, but again, they are not the predominant substances secreted by glandular tissues. Nucleic acids, which include DNA and RNA, are fundamental to genetic information and cellular function but are not secreted by glands to any significant degree as part of their hormonal or enzymatic roles.

Thus, the focus on proteins highlights their significance in the context of glandular secretions and their various functions in the body.