15f1c436_SharePoint_MCTS___MCPD___MCITP__Purpose
[Service] User Profile Synchronization Service [Comments] Not necessarily required for User Profiles!If you are just doing the “Directory Import” option then this service is not required. The definitive “how-to” guide: http://www.harbar.net/articles/sp2010ups.aspx [Purpose] 
Used to synchronise data from AD (and other data sources) into the Profile Database.
Martin Hatch - SharePoint Evangelist | SharePoint MCTS | MCPD | MCITP
Purpose