Final answer:
Sweat glands produce sweat primarily for thermoregulation, while oil glands produce sebum for lubrication and antibacterial protection. Sweat glands are of two types - eccrine and apocrine, and they release sweat via ducts to the skin surface. Oil glands, also known as sebaceous glands, secrete sebum directly into hair follicles and onto the skin, and are replaced after releasing their contents.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main differences between sweat glands and oil glands lie in their structure, function, and the substances they secrete. Sweat glands, also known as sudoriferous glands, produce a fluid called sweat, primarily composed of water and salts, which helps in cooling the body during states of elevated temperature. There are two types of sweat glands: eccrine glands, which are coiled glands in the dermis that release sweat that is mostly water to the skin surface, and apocrine glands, which are usually associated with hair follicles in densely hairy areas and produce a thicker sweat that can lead to body odor due to bacterial decomposition.
Oil glands, also known as sebaceous glands, secrete an oily substance called sebum. This sebum is released into hair follicles and to the skin surface, serving to waterproof and lubricate the skin and hair. It also possesses antibacterial properties, protecting the skin against microorganisms. Excess production or blockage of these glands can result in pimples. Notably, sebaceous glands are holocrine glands, meaning they are destroyed after releasing their contents and need to be replaced by new glandular cells.
Sweat glands and oil glands are both types of exocrine glands that are found in the skin. The main difference between them is the type of secretion they produce. Sweat glands produce sweat, which is mainly composed of water and salts, and helps regulate body temperature. On the other hand, oil glands, also known as sebaceous glands, produce sebum, an oily substance that lubricates and protects the skin.