Chapter 6 - Section 6.3 - Study Guide - Assess Your Learning Outcomes - Page 199: 1

Sweat glands, also known as sudoriferous glands, are essential components of the human integumentary system (skin). There are two primary types of sweat glands: apocrine sweat glands and merocrine (eccrine) sweat glands. These glands differ in terms of their distribution, development, structure, and function. **1. Distribution:** - **Apocrine Sweat Glands:** Apocrine sweat glands are found in specific areas of the body, such as the axillary (armpit) and anogenital regions. These glands are not as widely distributed as merocrine sweat glands. - **Merocrine (Eccrine) Sweat Glands:** Merocrine sweat glands are found all over the body, with a higher density in certain areas, such as the palms, soles, forehead, and cheeks. They are particularly abundant on the palms and soles. **2. Development:** - **Apocrine Sweat Glands:** Apocrine sweat glands develop later in life and become active during puberty. They are influenced by sex hormones, which is why they are more active in adults. - **Merocrine (Eccrine) Sweat Glands:** Merocrine sweat glands are present from birth and are functional throughout a person's life. **3. Structure:** - **Apocrine Sweat Glands:** Apocrine sweat glands are larger and more complex in structure compared to merocrine sweat glands. They consist of a coiled secretory portion located in the dermis and an excretory duct that opens into a hair follicle. - **Merocrine (Eccrine) Sweat Glands:** Merocrine sweat glands are smaller, simple tubular glands. They consist of a coiled secretory portion in the dermis and a duct that opens directly onto the skin surface through a sweat pore. **4. Function:** - **Apocrine Sweat Glands:** Apocrine sweat glands produce a thicker, milky sweat that contains lipids and proteins. This sweat is odorless when first secreted but can develop a characteristic odor when it interacts with bacteria on the skin. Apocrine sweat is primarily involved in thermoregulation (temperature regulation) and may play a role in pheromone production. - **Merocrine (Eccrine) Sweat Glands:** Merocrine sweat glands produce a watery, odorless sweat that contains electrolytes (salt) and serves primarily for thermoregulation. It helps cool the body by evaporating from the skin surface, which helps regulate body temperature during exercise or in hot environments. It also plays a role in excreting some metabolic waste products. In summary, apocrine sweat glands are larger, less numerous, and develop later in life compared to merocrine sweat glands. They produce a thicker sweat that is involved in thermoregulation and may have a role in odor production. In contrast, merocrine sweat glands are smaller, widely distributed, and produce a watery sweat primarily for cooling the body. Both types of sweat glands are essential for maintaining proper body temperature and overall skin health.

Sweat glands, also known as sudoriferous glands, are essential components of the human integumentary system (skin). There are two primary types of sweat glands: apocrine sweat glands and merocrine (eccrine) sweat glands. These glands differ in terms of their distribution, development, structure, and function. **1. Distribution:** - **Apocrine Sweat Glands:** Apocrine sweat glands are found in specific areas of the body, such as the axillary (armpit) and anogenital regions. These glands are not as widely distributed as merocrine sweat glands. - **Merocrine (Eccrine) Sweat Glands:** Merocrine sweat glands are found all over the body, with a higher density in certain areas, such as the palms, soles, forehead, and cheeks. They are particularly abundant on the palms and soles. **2. Development:** - **Apocrine Sweat Glands:** Apocrine sweat glands develop later in life and become active during puberty. They are influenced by sex hormones, which is why they are more active in adults. - **Merocrine (Eccrine) Sweat Glands:** Merocrine sweat glands are present from birth and are functional throughout a person's life. **3. Structure:** - **Apocrine Sweat Glands:** Apocrine sweat glands are larger and more complex in structure compared to merocrine sweat glands. They consist of a coiled secretory portion located in the dermis and an excretory duct that opens into a hair follicle. - **Merocrine (Eccrine) Sweat Glands:** Merocrine sweat glands are smaller, simple tubular glands. They consist of a coiled secretory portion in the dermis and a duct that opens directly onto the skin surface through a sweat pore. **4. Function:** - **Apocrine Sweat Glands:** Apocrine sweat glands produce a thicker, milky sweat that contains lipids and proteins. This sweat is odorless when first secreted but can develop a characteristic odor when it interacts with bacteria on the skin. Apocrine sweat is primarily involved in thermoregulation (temperature regulation) and may play a role in pheromone production. - **Merocrine (Eccrine) Sweat Glands:** Merocrine sweat glands produce a watery, odorless sweat that contains electrolytes (salt) and serves primarily for thermoregulation. It helps cool the body by evaporating from the skin surface, which helps regulate body temperature during exercise or in hot environments. It also plays a role in excreting some metabolic waste products. In summary, apocrine sweat glands are larger, less numerous, and develop later in life compared to merocrine sweat glands. They produce a thicker sweat that is involved in thermoregulation and may have a role in odor production. In contrast, merocrine sweat glands are smaller, widely distributed, and produce a watery sweat primarily for cooling the body. Both types of sweat glands are essential for maintaining proper body temperature and overall skin health.