sweat gland lab

Experiment 2Sweat Gland Distribution Experiment Inventory

Materials (1) Piece of Graph Paper

Tape

(4) Betadine ® Swabs

Stopwatch

Ruler

*Scissors Note: You must provide the materials listed in *red.

EXPERIMENT 2: SWEAT GLAND DISTRIBUTION

Sweat glands, also called sudoriferous glands, are found all over the body and produce a substance composed of salt and water. These glands regulate body temperature. In this experiment, you will measure the density of sweat glands in different areas of the body.

PROCEDURE

1. Carefully measure and cut out four 5 cm by 5 cm squares of graph paper.

2. Locate regions on your right anterior forearm, right palm, right anterior thigh, and right anterior foot that do not have large

creases. For example, the elbow region would NOT be an ideal region for this experiment.

3. Use the Betadine® swab to paint a square on each of the selected regions. This square should be slightly larger than the

graph paper squares you cut in Step 1.

4. Allow the Betadine® to dry for 1 minute.

5. Use the tape to secure a square of graph paper on each painted square. Be sure the graph paper is securely fastened.

Keep the graph paper in place for approximately 20 minutes.

6. After 20 minutes, remove each graph paper square one at a time.

7. Count the number of dots on each square. Each dot will appear as dark blue, brown, or black, and represents a sweat

gland. Record the number of sweat glands per square centimeter in Table 2.

Note: Your Betadine® swab may not produce a high number of dots if your body does not sweat very much.

This is normal.

8. To remove the Betadine® from your skin, wash each area thoroughly with soap and water.

©eScience Labs, 2016

Data SheetExperiment 2 Data Sheet Table 2: Sweat Gland Distribution

Body Region Sweat Glands/cm2

Right Anterior Forearm

Right Palm

Right Anterior Thigh

Right Anterior Foot

©eScience Labs, 2016