[Biology Class Notes] on Difference Between Sweat and Sebum Pdf

There are two types of glands on the human body; sweat glands and sebaceous glands. Sweat is produced by the sweat glands and sebum is produced by the sebaceous glands. Both of these are excretions of the body, but there are several points of difference between sweat and sebum. Both sweat and sebum are released by glands present on the skin surface. At , we have summarised the characteristics of both to help you differentiate between sweat and sebum. 

Sweat

Sweat is a fluid or liquid-like substance that is excreted by the sweat glands on the body. The human body is covered with approximately three to four million sweat glands. Most of these are found in the armpit, forehead, cheeks, palms, soles of the feet and other body parts. There are two types of sweat glands: eccrine sweat glands and apocrine sweat glands.  

Sebum 

Sebum is a solid or wax-like substance that is excreted by the sebaceous glands on the body. These glands are present in the dermis layer of the skin and are shaped like a sac. There are two types of sebaceous glands: ones that are connected to the hair follicle in the hairy area of the body and those that exist independently in hairless regions. 

Let’s look at the difference between sebum and sweat in detail.

Criteria

Sweat

Sebum

Secretion

Sweat is secreted by sweat glands on the surface of the skin

Sebum is secreted by the sebaceous or oil glands.

Odour

Sweat has an unpleasant odour

Sebum is odourless

Consistency

Sweat is a liquid-like substance

Sebum is a wax-like substance

Nature

Sweat is fluid in appearance

Sebum is oily

Composition

Sweat is made up of salt and water. It also contains traces of lactic acid and a small number of amino acids and glucose

Sebum is made up of lipids having triglycerides, free fatty acids, oils, wax, and cholesterol, and its esters.

Function

1. The main function is sweat is thermoregulation 

2. Excretes the toxins from our body. 

3. Sweat cools the body by evaporation

1. The function of sebum is to create lubrication for the hair and the skin

2. It acts as a pheromone

3. Protects the body against microorganisms

Discharge

It is discharged from the surface of the skin

It is discharged from the hair follicles

Secretion stimulation

Secretion is stimulated by a rise in body temperature due to heat, exercise, etc. Sweat is also produced by the body when it is experiencing strong emotions like fear or stress.

Sebum secretion is a continuous process. 

Location

Sweat glands are present in locations like armpits, palms, soles, forehead, etc

Sebaceous glands are present all over the body except the palms and the soles. The most number of sebaceous glands are found on the face and the scalp.

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