Which of the following statements about apocrine sweat glands is true?

• A. They play a major role in thermoregulation throughout the body.
• B. They are primarily found in the axillary and genital regions.
• C. They become active immediately after birth.
• D. They secrete a watery, odorless fluid directly onto the skin surface.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the function of apocrine sweat glands: Apocrine sweat glands are specialized sweat glands that differ from eccrine sweat glands. They are primarily involved in secreting a thicker fluid that can develop an odor when broken down by bacteria on the skin.
2. Identify the location of apocrine sweat glands: These glands are predominantly found in specific areas of the body, such as the axillary (armpit) and genital regions, rather than being distributed throughout the body like eccrine glands.
3. Clarify their role in thermoregulation: Unlike eccrine sweat glands, which play a major role in thermoregulation by secreting watery sweat to cool the body, apocrine sweat glands are not primarily involved in thermoregulation.
4. Understand their activation timeline: Apocrine sweat glands become active during puberty, not immediately after birth. This activation is influenced by hormonal changes.
5. Examine the nature of their secretion: Apocrine sweat glands secrete a thicker fluid into hair follicles rather than directly onto the skin surface. This fluid can develop an odor due to bacterial activity, distinguishing it from the watery, odorless secretion of eccrine glands.