Question

What is the role of sweat glands in the dermis of the skin during thermoregulation?

Answer 1

Sweat glands are small, tubular structures found in skin. Sweat glands produce sweat. They are a type of exocrine glands.

Complete answer:
There are two main types of sweat glands. These two sweat glands differ in structure, function, distribution and excretion. These types are:
- Eccrine Sweat Glands
- Apocrine Sweat Glands
Eccrine glands are present almost all over the body. Eccrine glands are most densely concentrated in the palms and the soles. They have varying densities all over the body. Eccrine glands secrete a water-based secretion which completes the function of thermoregulation in humans.
Apocrine glands are mostly accumulated in the armpits and the perineal region of the human body. Apocrine glands do not serve the purpose of thermoregulation in humans. Apocrine glands facilitate thermoregulation in hoofed animals like cows, horses, camels and donkeys. Apocrine glands have undergone modifications in several parts of the body and have formed various glands like:
- Mammary glands
- Ciliary glands
- Ceruminous glands
Apocrine and eccrine glands both secrete a merocrine secretion. The vesicles of the gland release sweat through the process of exocytosis. Exocytosis is the process in which a cell transports molecules out of the cell through the process of active transport. This leaves the entire cell intact.

Note:
Exocrine glands secrete substances onto the skin epithelium through the help of a duct.
There are only a certain number of sweat glands producing sweat at a given time. More sweat glands are activated due to a stimulus and more sweat is produced.