Goblet cells secrete what?

• A. Salts
• B. Digestive enzymes
• C. Water
• D. Mucus

Answer: (D)

Goblet cells are specialized mucus-secreting cells lining mucous membranes in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. Their primary product is mucus, a gel-like substance formed by mucin glycoproteins that hydrate with water to coat and protect surfaces. This mucus traps dust, microbes, and debris and provides lubrication to ease movement of contents along the tract. In the airways, it’s moved by cilia up and out of the lungs, helping keep the passages clear.

Salts are secreted by other glands, and digestive enzymes come from other secretory cells and organs; water is a component of mucus but not the main secreted product of goblet cells. Therefore, the substance goblet cells secrete is mucus.