Which type of sweat gland is responsible for secreting a solution that is mostly water and is activated by temperature?

Eccrine sweat glands are specifically designed for thermoregulation and are primarily responsible for secreting a watery fluid that helps cool the body when it gets hot. These glands are distributed throughout the skin, particularly in areas like the palms, soles, and forehead. The secretion produced by eccrine glands consists mainly of water, with small amounts of electrolytes and other substances, making it ideal for evaporative cooling.

Unlike apocrine sweat glands, which are mostly activated by emotional stimuli and release a thicker secretion that may contain proteins and lipids, eccrine glands function mainly in response to increases in body temperature due to external heat or physical activity. This cooling mechanism is essential for maintaining homeostasis, as it allows the body to regulate its temperature effectively. The presence of other gland types, like sebaceous and ceruminous glands, serves different functions—sebaceous glands are responsible for producing oils to lubricate the skin, while ceruminous glands are involved in making earwax.