Functions of Human Skin
The number of important functions skin serves as follows:
- Protection against microorganisms: Skin prevents pathogens from entering our body and causing diseases.
- Prevents dehydration: Thick skin reduce water loss and hence prevents from dehydration.
- Sensation:Our skin serves as a sense organ for pain, touch, pressure, heat, etc.
- Temperature regulation: The skin prevents loss of heat in cold weather and loss of heat in hot weather.
- Storage : The skin stores reserve food in the form of a layer of fat contained in the main cells
- Excretion: The skin assists in the process of excretion of water, salts, and to a very limited extent, urea. Since sweating from the skin occurs mainly in temperature regulation, we cannot really consider the skin as an excretory organ.
- Synthesis of Vitamin D: The skin can synthesize vitamin D when exposed to sunshine. This is a minor function and its mechanism is not yet fully understood. In fact, too much sunshine may cause tanning and other ill effects including even skin cancers.
Structure and Function of Skin: Skin Layer and Diagram
Skin is the largest organ of the body covering an area of 20 sq feet. Skin is the outer tissue covering of the body. It helps us to regulate body temperature and allows the sensation of heat, cold, and touch. The study of skin is known as dermatology.
Table of Content
- What is Skin?
- Human Skin Diagram
- Layers of Skin
- Functions of Human Skin
- Skin Derivatives
- Conclusion – Human Skin
- FAQs – Structure and Functions of Human Skin