Question

Why do mammals lack mucus glands in their skin?

• A. The skin is not slippery.
• B. The skin is tough.
• C. The epidermis has many layers of cells.
• D. The skin is not respiratory.

Answer 1

The correct option is D The skin is not respiratory.

Mammals have a number of glands like sebaceous glands, mucus glands, sweat glands, mammary glands etc. The mucus-secreting glands are not present on the skin but are present internally in many locations in the windpipe, nasal chambers, alimentary canal etc. The purpose of mucus glands in these locations is to secrete mucus and keep these locations moist. Mammals do not respire through the skin and hence mucus glands are not present in the skin. In some amphibians, where gaseous exchange may occur through the skin, mucus glands are present in the skin.

So, the correct answer is option D.