About Lesson
Role of the Skin in Salt and Water Balance
The sweat glands secrete waste products of metabolism like; water and mineral salts especially sodium chloride.
Sweat is 99% water and the remaining 1% is mainly mineral salts.
The water and mineral salts lost in the sweat contribute to osmotic changes of the body cells and fluids.
On a hot day, the body loses a lot of water and some mineral salts, resulting in a sensation of thirst being felt due to tissue dehydration.
The osmotic balance is however, restored by drinking large volumes of water and intake of mineral salts in the diet.