Sweat Glands: Merocrine Glands & Aprocrine Glands

Structural Characteristics and Comparison to typical Eurkaryotic Cell:

     Sweat glands are categorized into two different types: Aprocrine glands and Eccrine or Merocrine glands. Aprocrine sweat glands are found in hair follicles of most mammals, and are located throughout their bodies. Aprocrine glands are larger than eccrine glands and are located only in the axillae (armpits), breasts, pubic, and perineum areas of the human body. Eccrine glands also known as Merocrine glands, are found on smoother and friction-less surfaces, with an average of 3 million of them in the human body; much more common and spread out among the human body. These secretory glands are hollow tubular glands originating in coiled sacs at the dermis level of the skin. They strectch up into pores on the surface of the skin above the epidermis. Merocrine cells and Aprocrine cells both have a nucleus and Golgi bodies however Merocrine cells have their secretory products stored in vesicles, while Aprocrine cells have their secretory products stored within the cell ducts. They lack many of the organelles in a typical cell and have more basic and limited structures within the cell.

Function and Specialization:

     The primary function of a sweat gland is to discharge sweat or water to the surface of the skin in order to cool the body. However, the many Eccrine glands on the palms or soles produce sweat in order to maintain moisture and ensure a damp environment. Eccrine glands respond to both thermal senses and psychological stimuli. Aprocrine glands do not actually produce sweat, as this is done by the Eccrine glands, but they are considered "scent glands," which means they give off an odor when they reach the surface of skin. They begin their function and secrete only after puberty and are activated when emotional stresses are increased. For example: Your palms get sweatier when you are nervous or stressed.

Type of Tissue:

Aprocrine sweat glands' tissue type are simple columnar and Merocrine sweat glands are stratified cuboidal.

Works Cited:

Ebling, F. John G., and William Montagna. "Human Skin." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Nov. 2015. Web. 06 Sept. 2016.

Integunmentary System. Digital image. Modesto Junior College, n.d. Web. 6 Sept. 2016.

Michelle Peckham, M.D., and Adele Knibbs. "Skin." The Histology Guide. Ed. Steve Paxton. University of Leeds/ Faculty of Biological Sciences at Leeds., 2003. Web. 6 Sept. 2016.