Difference between revisions of "Sweat" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | ''' | + | '''Sweat''' or '''perspiration''' is a watery fluid excreted by the sweat (sudoriparous) glands of the skin of [[mammal]]s. Sweat contains primarily [[water]], but also [[salt]]s and metabolic waste products—primarily sodium choloride, urea, lactic acid, and potassium ions (Blood et al. 2007). Sweat serves an excretory function for releasing excess water and waste products. In some animals, and in particularly humans, it also plays a role in regulating body temperature through evaporative cooling when the water in the sweat evaporates. The urocanic acid in sweat also may offer protection for the [[skin]] against ultraviolet radiation (Kent 2006). |
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| + | '''Sweating''' (as well as perspiration) refers to the production, secretion, and evaporation of sweat. The importance of sweating varies between species. | ||
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| + | ==Overview== | ||
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| + | Sweat also contains the chemicals or [[odorant]]s [[Cresol|2-methylphenol]] (''o''-cresol) and [[P-Cresol|4-methylphenol]] (''p''-cresol). | ||
In [[human]]s, sweating is primarily a means of [[thermoregulation]], although it has been proposed that components of male sweat can act as [[pheromone|pheromonal]] cues <ref name="sweat">[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17287500&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum Smelling a single component of male sweat alters levels of cortisol in women"], C. Wyart et. al., ''Journal of Neuroscience'', February 7, 2006</ref>. [[Evaporation]] of sweat from the skin surface has a cooling effect due to the [[latent heat]] of evaporation of water. Hence, in [[hot]] weather, or when the individual's muscles heat up due to exertion, more sweat is produced. Sweating is increased by nervousness and [[nausea]] and decreased by cold. Animals with few sweat glands, such as [[dog]]s, accomplish similar temperature regulation results by panting, which evaporates water from the moist lining of the oral cavity and [[pharynx]]. Primates and horses have armpits that sweat similarly to those of humans. | In [[human]]s, sweating is primarily a means of [[thermoregulation]], although it has been proposed that components of male sweat can act as [[pheromone|pheromonal]] cues <ref name="sweat">[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=17287500&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum Smelling a single component of male sweat alters levels of cortisol in women"], C. Wyart et. al., ''Journal of Neuroscience'', February 7, 2006</ref>. [[Evaporation]] of sweat from the skin surface has a cooling effect due to the [[latent heat]] of evaporation of water. Hence, in [[hot]] weather, or when the individual's muscles heat up due to exertion, more sweat is produced. Sweating is increased by nervousness and [[nausea]] and decreased by cold. Animals with few sweat glands, such as [[dog]]s, accomplish similar temperature regulation results by panting, which evaporates water from the moist lining of the oral cavity and [[pharynx]]. Primates and horses have armpits that sweat similarly to those of humans. | ||
Revision as of 02:12, 21 September 2007
Sweat or perspiration is a watery fluid excreted by the sweat (sudoriparous) glands of the skin of mammals. Sweat contains primarily water, but also salts and metabolic waste products—primarily sodium choloride, urea, lactic acid, and potassium ions (Blood et al. 2007). Sweat serves an excretory function for releasing excess water and waste products. In some animals, and in particularly humans, it also plays a role in regulating body temperature through evaporative cooling when the water in the sweat evaporates. The urocanic acid in sweat also may offer protection for the skin against ultraviolet radiation (Kent 2006).
Sweating (as well as perspiration) refers to the production, secretion, and evaporation of sweat. The importance of sweating varies between species.
Overview
Sweat also contains the chemicals or odorants 2-methylphenol (o-cresol) and 4-methylphenol (p-cresol).
In humans, sweating is primarily a means of thermoregulation, although it has been proposed that components of male sweat can act as pheromonal cues [1]. Evaporation of sweat from the skin surface has a cooling effect due to the latent heat of evaporation of water. Hence, in hot weather, or when the individual's muscles heat up due to exertion, more sweat is produced. Sweating is increased by nervousness and nausea and decreased by cold. Animals with few sweat glands, such as dogs, accomplish similar temperature regulation results by panting, which evaporates water from the moist lining of the oral cavity and pharynx. Primates and horses have armpits that sweat similarly to those of humans.
How sweat glands operate
There are two kinds of sweat glands, and they differ greatly in both the composition of the sweat and its purpose:
- Eccrine sweat glands are distributed over the entire body surface, but are particularly abundant on the palms of hands, soles of feet, and on the forehead. These produce sweat that is composed chiefly of water with various salts. These glands are used for body temperature regulation.
- Apocrine sweat glands produce sweat that contains fatty materials. These glands are mainly present in the armpits and around the genital area and their activity is the main cause of sweat odor, due to the bacteria that break down the organic compounds in the sweat from these glands.
See also
- Diaphoresis
- Hyperhidrosis
- Anhidrosis
- Hyponatremia
- Hyperthermia
- Body odor
- Hidradenitis suppurativa
- Pheromones
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- ↑ Smelling a single component of male sweat alters levels of cortisol in women", C. Wyart et. al., Journal of Neuroscience, February 7, 2006
Kent, Michael. 2006. The Oxford dictionary of sports science & medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780198568506.
Blood, D. C., Virginia P. Studdert, and Clive C. Gay. 2007. Saunders comprehensive veterinary dictionary. Edinburgh: Elsevier Saunders. http://www.credoreference.com/letter_picker.jsp?vol=468.
Stocking, Scott, and Jyothimai Gubili. 2004. Mosby's dental dictionary. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby. ISBN 0323025102.
External links
- Sweating treatments, Causes and Information
- Male sweat boosts women's hormone levels — from UC Berkeley, February 2007
- The Effect of Male Sweat on Women's Hormone Levels — from Science Daily, February 2007
- K. Sato et. al., "Biology of sweat glands and their disorders", Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, April 1989
Further reading
- Ferner S, Koszmagk R, Lehmann A, Heilmann W., Z Erkr Atmungsorgane. 1990;175(2):70-5. 'Reference values of Na(+) and Cl(-) concentrations in adult sweat'
- E. R. Nadel, R. W. Bullard, and J. A. Stolwijk, "Importance of skin temperature in the regulation of sweating", Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol. 31, Issue 1, 80-87, July 1, 1971
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