Functions of skin, Biology

Assignment Help:

FUNCTIONS OF SKIN -

Skin performs various diverse functions, that is why it is called "jack of all trades".

1.      Protection - The skin protects the internal soft organs from mechanical injuries.

2.      Prevention of water loss - The skin prevents loss of water (dehydration) from internal organs.

3.      Maintenance of body form - The skin helps in maintenance of the body shape.

4.      Barrier to germs and poisons- The skin prevents the entry of micro-organisms and absorption of poisonous materials.

5.      Safety against sunburn - Melanin of the epidermal cells protects against the invisible ultra violet rays of the sun.

6.      Chemical defence - The sweat oil and wax 'of cutaneous glands contain lactic acid and fatty acids which make the pH acidic enough to kill or slow down growth of many bacteria and fungi.

7.      Thermoregulation (Regulation of body temperature) - The normal body temperature of man is 98.4°F (=37°C).

It is maintained in both summer and winter seasons. In summer the cutaneous blood vessels dilate which causes loss of heat. The sweat is vaporised from the surface of the skin which decreases its temperature. In winter the cutaneous blood vessels constrict and thereby less heat is lost from the body. The subcutaneous fat conserves body heat.

8.      Excretion and Homeostasis - Sweat secreted by sweat glands is excretory product (metabolic wastes). During ecdysis (removal of epidermal cells from stratum corneum), keratin (formed from waste proteins) is removed which is also an excretory product. Removal of metabolic wastes helps in keeping the internal environment of the body constant (homeostasis).

9.      Secretion - Human cutaneous glands secrete sebum, sweat, milk, ear wax, etc.

10.     Sensation - The skin has abundant receptors for touch, heat, cold, pain, pressure, etc.

11.     Synthesis of Vitamin D - The skin is capable of forming vitamin D from a cholesterol derivative in the presence of sunlight.

12.     Formation of bones and teeth - Dermis of the skin gives rise to the dermal bones of the skull. Teeth are formed from both the epidermis and the dermis.

13.     Aid in physical examination - Yellowish colour of skin indicates jaundice. Certain rashes or lesions show infectious disease like measles, chicken pox, small pox, syphilis, allergy etc. The skin also reveals age of the person.

14.     Storage of food - The subdermal portion of the skin stores fat.

15.     Absorption - The skin can absorb oil, ointments, etc. through the opening of sweat glands and hair follicles, if applied and rubbed. The skin also absorbs light for the benefit of internal tissues.

16.     Colour - Melanin in the epidermal cells give colour to the skin.

17.     Healing of Wounds - The epidermis of the skin has a great power of regeneration. It helps in rapid healing of wounds.


Related Discussions:- Functions of skin

Explain the cardiac cycle of human body, Explain the Cardiac Cycle of human...

Explain the Cardiac Cycle of human body? The different stages of a heart pumping cycle are referred to as follows: contraction of the ventricles is called systole, and relaxati

Kingdoms, The organisms that live in hostile environments that cannot suppo...

The organisms that live in hostile environments that cannot support other forms of life are members of what kingdom?

Explain recovery or anabolic phase of stress response, Explain Recovery or ...

Explain Recovery or Anabolic Phase of Stress Response? When wounds are closed and infection has resolved, repletion of lean tissue and fat stores along with restoration of stre

Define intracellular fluid or the water within the cells, Define intracellu...

Define intracellular Fluid or the water within the cells? The intracellular Fluid or the water within the cells makes up about 40-4596 of the total body weight. Because the bod

Define the integrity of gut or colon - dietary fiber, Define the Integrity ...

Define the Integrity of gut or colon? Dietary fibre especially fermentable fibres play an important role in maintaining the integrity of gut. SCFAs generated during fermentatio

What is prostetic group, What is Prostetic group Prostetic group :- A ...

What is Prostetic group Prostetic group :- A non-protein  part  of  the  enzyme which  remains  tightly bound to the protein part.

Nervous system - spinal nerves, SPINAL NERVES 31 Pairs. Mixed type. ...

SPINAL NERVES 31 Pairs. Mixed type. Total weight 150 gms. At the base of origin of spinal nerves gland of swammardon or calcarious ganglion is present. Composed of m

Which germ layer originate liver and the pancreas, Q. From which germ layer...

Q. From which germ layer do the liver and the pancreas originate? What are other organs and tissues made from that germ layer? The pancreas and the liver are originated from th

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd