英语听力文摘 English Digest 557、为何我们的汗水不好闻？

 　　Why Does Sweat Smell So Bad?

 

　　Our bodies have two main kinds of sweat glands². The sweat glands that are distributed over most of the body produce an innocent, clear sweat that’s more than ninety-nine percent water. As this watery³ sweat rinses⁴ your skin, it cools the body by evaporation–and even performs a community service by rinsing⁵ away potentially stinky bacteria!

 

　　But there’s another type of sweat gland¹ located only in the armpits, groin, and around the nipples. These sweat glands produce a thicker, cloudier sweat that’s a favorite food of certain bacteria. And once these sweat-loving bacteria really start chowing down, they make the smell of the sweat on these parts of the body even stronger. That’s why the longer you’re sweaty, the stinkier you get.

 

　　Like the first type of sweat glands which cool and cleanse⁷ the body, these stinkier sweat glands also have an evolutionary⁸ function. For other mammals, this potent⁶ sweat speaks volumes about an individual’s identity and level of sexual interest. But does it still serve the same social purpose for humans? In fact, there is some evidence that it does.

 

 

　　为何我们的汗水不好闻？

 

　　我们的身体主要有两种汗腺。一种汗腺几乎遍布全身，其流出的汗水是干净无味的，含水量超过99%。当这种汗水冲洗你的皮肤时，它通过蒸发作用给你的身体降温，甚至有时候还扮演“义务清洁员”的角色，将你皮肤表面的有害细菌清洗掉。

 

　　但是人体内还存在另一种汗腺，它分布在腋窝、腹股沟和乳头附近。这种汗腺会产生大量粘稠的汗水，这些汗水还是某些细菌的美食。当喜好汗水的细菌在享受它们的美食时，这些部位的汗水的气味会变得更重。这就是为什么你出汗的时间越长，你身上的汗臭味越重的原因。

 

　　就像第一种汗腺有清爽和清洁人体的功能一样，这种粘稠的汗液在进化史上也有它的作用。对于其它的哺乳类动物来说，浓重的汗水味可以代表它的个体身份和性魅力指数。但是这种社交手段在人类身上还适用吗？事实上有证据显示，一切皆有可能！

1 gland   

n.腺体，(机)密封压盖，填料盖

参考例句：

• This is a snake's poison gland.这就是蛇的毒腺。
• Her mother has an underactive adrenal gland.她的母亲肾上腺机能不全。

2 glands   

n.腺( gland的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a snake's poison glands 蛇的毒腺
• the sebaceous glands in the skin 皮脂腺

3 watery   

adj.有水的，水汪汪的；湿的，湿润的

参考例句：

• In his watery eyes there is an expression of distrust.他那含泪的眼睛流露出惊惶失措的神情。
• Her eyes became watery because of the smoke.因为烟熏，她的双眼变得泪汪汪的。

4 rinses   

v.漂洗( rinse的第三人称单数 )；冲洗；用清水漂洗掉（肥皂泡等）；（用清水）冲掉

参考例句：

• This soap rinses easily. 这肥皂容易漂清。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• Another method of process change is to substitute standing baths and rinses for running ones. 工艺过程改变的另一方法是用固定式的浴槽和漂洗代替连续式的。 来自辞典例句

5 rinsing   

n.清水，残渣v.漂洗( rinse的现在分词 )；冲洗；用清水漂洗掉（肥皂泡等）；（用清水）冲掉

参考例句：

• Pablo made a swishing noise rinsing wine in his mouth. 巴勃罗用酒漱着口，发出咕噜噜噜的声音。 来自辞典例句
• The absorption of many molecular layers could be reestablished by rinsing the foils with tap water. 多分子层的吸附作用可用自来水淋洗金属箔而重新实现。 来自辞典例句

6 potent   

adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的

参考例句：

• The medicine had a potent effect on your disease.这药物对你的病疗效很大。
• We must account of his potent influence.我们必须考虑他的强有力的影响。

7 cleanse   

vt.使清洁，使纯洁，清洗

参考例句：

• Health experts are trying to cleanse the air in cities. 卫生专家们正设法净化城市里的空气。
• Fresh fruit juices can also cleanse your body and reduce dark circles.新鲜果汁同样可以清洁你的身体,并对黑眼圈同样有抑制作用。

8 evolutionary   

adj.进化的；演化的，演变的；[生]进化论的

参考例句：

• Life has its own evolutionary process.生命有其自身的进化过程。
• These are fascinating questions to be resolved by the evolutionary studies of plants.这些十分吸引人的问题将在研究植物进化过程中得以解决。