Which statement describes an endocrine function rather than an exocrine function? a. salivary glands release saliva into the mouth. b. sweat glands release sweat onto the skin c. the pineal gland releases melatonin into the blood. d. esophageal glands release mucus into the esophagus.

The pineal gland releases the melatonin into the blood which describes an endocrine function rather than an exocrine function.  

Option C

Explanation:  

The endocrine gland releases hormones directly into blood which travels through it to reach the target organ. Whereas, the exocrine glands releases their hormones directly into the duct from which they were released to the target area except pineal gland all other gland in the options are the example of exocrine glands.

fertilization, pictured in figure 24.23a is the process in which gametes (an egg and sperm) fuse to form a zygote. the egg and sperm each contain one set of chromosomes. to ensure that the offspring has only one complete diploid set of chromosomes, only one sperm must fuse with one egg. in mammals, the egg is protected by a layer of extracellular matrix consisting mainly of glycoproteins called the zona pellucida. when a sperm binds to the zona pellucida, a series of biochemical events, called the acrosomal reactions, take place. in placental mammals, the acrosome contains digestive enzymes that initiate the degradation of the glycoprotein matrix protecting the egg and allowing the sperm plasma membrane to fuse with the egg plasma membrane, as illustrated in figure 24.23b. the fusion of these two membranes creates an opening through which the sperm nucleus is transferred into the ovum. the nuclear membranes of the egg and sperm break down and the two haploid genomes condense to form a diploid genome.

explanation:

currents is the correct answer.