Transcript The Skin - Totton College

The Skin?
What does it do?
What is skin?
• Skin is the largest organ of the body
• It gives a tough, flexible covering to the body
• Divided into 3 main sections
Epidermis – the top layer
Dermis – middle layer
Subcutaneous layer – the bottom layer
• Skin has 5 main functions
Sensation
Skin lets us feel:
• Touch
• Pressure
• Pain
• Heat
• Cold
• Recognise objects
by feel and shape
Heat regulation
Temperature control
• Normal body
temperature is 36.8°C
• Blood supply & sweat
glands mainly control
body heat loss.
• Heat can be
distributed by blood
circulation to the body
• Sweating also helps
control heat by
lowering temperature
Absorption
• Skin acts as a
waterproof barrier
• UV rays are absorbed
stimulating melanin
production
• Small amounts of
creams etc may be
absorbed by the very
top layer of the skin
only.
Protection
• Outer skin surface
protects against
bacteria by forming
the Acid Mantle
(sebum & sweat)
• Prevents absorption by
creating a barrier
• Acts as a cushion for
underlying structures
• Acts as a waterproof
coating preventing
vital water loss
• Contains Melanin which
absorbs UV rays –
Tanning
Elimination/Excretion
• Sweating helps get rid
of waste products like
water and salt through
the surface of the
skin
• 2 types of sweat, 1
happens all the time
and you don’t know
about it. The other
only when you are hot
or stressed
Nutrition
• Storage for fat,
providing an energy
store.
• Produces Vitamin D
– chemical reaction
when sunlight is in
contact with the
skin