Final answer:
The eccrine gland's primary function is to regulate body temperature, which is vital for human thermoregulation and maintaining homeostasis. These glands produce sweat that cools the body when it evaporates from the skin's surface.
Step-by-step explanation:
The function of the eccrine gland (sweat gland) is to regulate body temperature. These glands produce a hypotonic sweat that is mostly water but also contains salt, antibodies, traces of metabolic waste, and dermicidin, an antimicrobial peptide. Eccrine glands are found all over the skin's surface, with higher concentrations on the palms, soles of the feet, and forehead. They play a crucial role in thermoregulation by releasing sweat through ducts to the skin's surface, where it evaporates and cools the body.
When the internal or environmental temperature rises, these glands become active and start to produce sweat. The process is an essential part of the body's homeostasis mechanism, ensuring that the body's temperature stays within the optimal range for proper physiological function. Unlike sebaceous glands, which produce oil to lubricate the skin, eccrine glands are solely involved with sweat production for temperature control.