Formation of Sweat and the Sweat Response
The Basics of Sweating
Sweating is our body's natural cooling mechanism, and it's fascinating how this process works! Let's break down this complex system into digestible pieces.
Sweating is technically called "perspiration" in scientific terms, but we'll stick with "sweating" for clarity.
Sweat Gland Structure
There are two main types of sweat glands:
- Eccrine glands
- Most numerous (2-4 million across the body)
- Found almost everywhere on the skin
- Produce mainly water and electrolytes
- Apocrine glands
- Located primarily in armpits and groin
- Become active during puberty
- Produce thicker secretions
The Formation of Sweat
The process of sweat formation happens in several steps:
- Initial Fluid Formation
- Blood plasma filters through the coiled base of eccrine glands
- The initial fluid is similar to blood plasma but without proteins
- Reabsorption
- As the fluid moves up the duct:
- Sodium and chloride ions are reabsorbed
- Water follows through osmosis
- As the fluid moves up the duct:
- Final Composition
- The resulting sweat contains:
- 99% water
- Electrolytes (mainly sodium and chloride)
- Small amounts of minerals
- Trace amounts of urea and lactic acid
- The resulting sweat contains:
The body can adapt to heat over time by producing sweat with lower salt content, helping maintain electrolyte balance.
The Sweat Response
Trigger Mechanisms
The sweat response is triggered by:
