Which of the following is NOT a common characteristic of an exocrine gland?

The option that identifies "Secretory products are carried in body fluids to distant target cells" as a characteristic not associated with exocrine glands is accurate. Exocrine glands typically function by releasing their secretions through ducts that lead to specific sites, such as the surface of the skin or the lumen of an organ, rather than dispersing their products through the bloodstream to distant organs or tissues.

Exocrine glands, such as sweat glands, salivary glands, and digestive glands, maintain their secretory products close to their site of activity. They either deposit their secretions onto an epithelial surface or into hollow organs, where the substances are intended to act locally. This local action contrasts with endocrine glands, which do release hormones directly into the bloodstream, allowing those secretory products to reach target cells located at a distance from the gland itself.

Therefore, the characteristic described in the answer choice is fundamentally different from the primary function and structure of exocrine glands.