for Teachers for Schools for Enterprise
for Teachers for Schools for Enterprise
Copyright
Course Navigator
Subcutaneous Tissue Layer: Definition & InjectionsNext Lesson 

What is Sweat? - Definition & Function

Chapter 12 /  Lesson 15   Transcript
Start Your Free Trial Today

An error occurred trying to load this video.

Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support.

Coming up next: Subcutaneous Tissue Layer: Definition & Injections

You're on a roll. Keep up the good work!

Take Quiz Watch Next Lesson
 Replay
Your next lesson will play in 10 seconds
  • 0:00 Homeostasis
  • 0:31 What Is Sweat?
  • 1:19 How Does Sweat Cool The Body?
  • 2:13 What If You Don't Sweat?
  • 2:54 Lesson Summary
Add to Add to Add to

Want to watch this again later?

Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course.

Login or Sign up

Timeline
Autoplay
Autoplay

Recommended Lessons and Courses for You

Lesson Transcript
Instructor: John Williams
Sweat is a fluid produced by the skin in order to regulate body temperature. It is vital for the maintenance of homeostasis and is part of the excretory function of the skin. This article discusses sweat, its components, and its functions.

Homeostasis

Homeostasis is the process by which the body maintains a stable internal environment. This internal environment is composed of many factors, including pH, energy production, and temperature. Our body temperature is, on average, around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. If our body temperature moves above or below that temperature too much, our bodies will try to correct that change. One of the primary ways that the body is able to lower temperature in the event that it gets too high is by releasing sweat.

What Is Sweat?

You're likely familiar with what sweat looks and feels like. But do you know of what, exactly, it's composed? Sweat is a fluid that's released from the body's skin. When the body gets too hot, the nervous system will stimulate the glands of the skin to start producing this fluid, which is used to cool the body and bring its temperature down. Sweat is composed of several components:

  • Water, which is the primary component, and makes up 99% of sweat
  • Salts, which are released as part of the excretory, waste removal function of the skin
  • Urea, which is another waste product

Incidentally, these same components are found in urine, which is produced by the kidneys. Yes, urine and sweat essentially contain the same chemicals, but in different concentrations. Therefore, both of these organs are responsible for waste homeostasis.

How Does Sweat Cool the Body?

Think about the times that you can remember sweating. I would guess that the most obvious times were those where the temperature around you was high or when you were performing some type of exercise or activity.

High temperatures outside of the body will initially cause the body temperature to change. Likewise, muscular activity will produce heat as energy is burned, causing internal body temperature change. In both cases, heat is being applied or produced around the body, and this can increase the body temperature outside of the normal range.

To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Create your account

Register for a free trial

Are you a student or a teacher?

Unlock Your Education

See for yourself why 30 million people use Study.com

Become a Study.com member and start learning now.
Become a Member  Back
What teachers are saying about Study.com
Free 5-day trial
Description

Earning College Credit

Did you know… We have over 160 college courses that prepare you to earn credit by exam that is accepted by over 1,500 colleges and universities. You can test out of the first two years of college and save thousands off your degree. Anyone can earn credit-by-exam regardless of age or education level.

To learn more, visit our Earning Credit Page

Transferring credit to the school of your choice

Not sure what college you want to attend yet? Study.com has thousands of articles about every imaginable degree, area of study and career path that can help you find the school that's right for you.

Research Schools, Degrees & Careers

Get the unbiased info you need to find the right school.

Browse Articles By Category

Browse an area of study or degree level.

Recommended Articles
You are viewing lesson Lesson 15 in chapter 12 of the course:

 Back To Course

General Studies Biology: Help & Review

13 chapters | 177 lessons | 1 flashcard set

Ch 12. The Circulatory, Respiratory, Digestive,...
Ch 13. Foundations of...

What is Sweat? - Definition & Function Related Study Materials

Create an account to start this course today
Try it free for 5 days!
Create an account

Explore our library of over 75,000 lessons

Browse by subject
Support