Essay Preview: Skin
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The Skin
The skin is the largest organ in the body. The skin has six main functions. First to protect, Second to absorb, Third to receive stimuli or sensations, Fourth regulate body temperature, Fifth eliminate waste, Sixth absorbs vitamin D.
The skins first job is to protect. It acts as a physical barrier, biological barrier, and a chemical barrier. The skin secretes Keratin which waterproofs the skin. It keeps water in and other water out. Its a biological barrier by protecting against foreign bacteria and viruses out. It has an acid mantle which acts as a chemical barrier.
The skins second job is to absorb. The skin absorbs many items such as: Oxygen, carbon dioxide, vitamin A,D, E, and K. It can absorb steroids from poison oak and poison ivy. It absorbs poisons such as, paint thinner, salt of heavy metals, mercury, and nickel.
The skins third job is to receive stimuli or sensations. The skin has large amounts of nerves running through it. It is very sensitive and will tell you if the surface is hot, cold, or if you are in pain. It gives you the sense of touch.
The fourth job of the skin is to regulate body temperature. Blood moves to the surface and the blood vessels dilate and heat is discharged into the atmosphere. It also sweats and when the sweat evaporates it cools the body.
The skins fifth job is to eliminate waste. The sweat is made up of 98% water and 2 % solid. In the sweat there is excess waste.
The sixth job of the skin is to absorb vitamins. It absorbs many vitamins, but the major one is Vitamin D. It converts ultraviolet rays into Vitamin D.
The skin has three layers, the deepest is the hypodermis. The middle layer is the largest layer and is called the dermis, The outermost layer is called the epidermis. This is where your hair and pores are visible. Its top layer is dead skin.