Functions of the skin

Question 1

What protects the skin?

Answer 1

The epidermis, dermis, melanin, sebum

Question 2

How does the epidermis protect the skin?

Answer 2

protects the body from damage and acts as a barrier to prevent the loss of water and the entry of pathogens

Question 3

How does the dermis protect the skin?

Answer 3

It protects internal organs from damage due to bumps and bangs

Question 4

How does melanin protect the skin?

Answer 4

Melanin protects the skin from UV radiation (which can cause skin cancers)

Question 5

How does sebum protect the skin?

Answer 5

It passes out of the hair and onto the epidermis. It keeps hair moist and flexible and prevents the skin from drying up and cracking.

Question 6

How does the skin aid in vitamin production?

Answer 6

Vitamin D is produced in the skin following exposure to UV radiation.

Question 7

What does vitamin D aid in?

Answer 7

The absorption of calcium in the intestines

Question 8

How does the skin aid in food storage?

Answer 8

fat stored in the adipose tissue acts as a food store

Question 9

How is the skin a sense organ?

Answer 9

It contains a variety of receptors that allows it to act as a sense organ

Question 10

How does the skin aid in excretion?

Answer 10

Sweat glands act as organs of excretion.
Sweat contains water and salts. When sweat passes out of the skin these wastes are removed from the body.

Question 11

How does the skin react in cold conditions (for temperature regulation)?

Answer 11

The skin helps to retain heat in two ways:
1. Erector muscles contract (form goosebumps). This causes the hair to stand up in a process called piloerection. A layer of warm air is trapped close to the skin by the hairs. This helps to reduce heat loss.
2. Blood vessels in the skin contract when we are cold. This is called vasoconstriction and it reduces heat loss through the skin.
There is a third way:
3. The brain responds to low blood temp by causing muscles throughout the body to contract and relax very rapidly. This results in shivering. (produces heat)

fat under the skin also insulates the body

Question 12

How does the skin react in warm conditions (for temperature regulation)?

Answer 12

It reduces temp by:
1. sweat is produced and released onto the skin. When the water evaporates it lowers our body temp.
2. Blood vessels in the skin (especially in the face) expand (or dilate). This increases heat loss through the skin and reduces body temp.