Which substance is produced by sebaceous glands and helps lubricate the hair and skin?

Which substance is produced by sebaceous glands and helps lubricate the hair and skin?

• A. Sweat
• B. Lactic Acid
• C. Keratin
• D. Sebum

Answer: (D)

Lubrication of hair and skin comes from sebum, the oily secretion of sebaceous glands. This natural oil coats the hair shaft and skin surface, helping lock in moisture and keep the skin flexible rather than dry, while also forming a protective barrier that can slow some bacteria from penetrating the skin. Sebum is made up of lipids and other oily substances that are released into a hair follicle and then spread onto the surface. Sweat is produced by sweat glands and mainly serves to cool the body and excrete waste; lactic acid is a compound found in sweat and tissues but isn’t the lubricating oil for hair and skin; keratin is a structural protein in hair and nails, not a secreted lubricant.

Lubrication of hair and skin comes from sebum, the oily secretion of sebaceous glands. This natural oil coats the hair shaft and skin surface, helping lock in moisture and keep the skin flexible rather than dry, while also forming a protective barrier that can slow some bacteria from penetrating the skin. Sebum is made up of lipids and other oily substances that are released into a hair follicle and then spread onto the surface.

Sweat is produced by sweat glands and mainly serves to cool the body and excrete waste; lactic acid is a compound found in sweat and tissues but isn’t the lubricating oil for hair and skin; keratin is a structural protein in hair and nails, not a secreted lubricant.