Utah Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

How is eccrine sweat produced?

1. Through merocrine secretion

2. Via holocrine secretion

3. By apocrine secretion

4. Through diffusion

The correct answer is: Through merocrine secretion

Eccrine sweat is produced through merocrine secretion, a process in which cells excrete their products without losing any cellular material. In the case of eccrine glands, they are primarily responsible for regulating body temperature and maintaining electrolyte balance through the secretion of sweat. This type of secretion allows the gland cells to release their contents, such as water and salts, while remaining intact and able to produce more sweat. This distinguishes it from other secretion methods like holocrine, where entire cells disintegrate to release their contents, and apocrine secretion, which involves the apical portion of the cell budding off. Utilizing diffusion for the production of eccrine sweat is incorrect, as sweat cannot simply diffuse out without being actively secreted by the glands. Thus, understanding the mechanism of merocrine secretion is crucial for comprehending how eccrine sweat functions in thermoregulation and skin homeostasis.