Body Part of the Day - Skin
April 20th 2006 04:28
The Skin, our protective layer!
Skin, known as the largest organ of the body, is made up of two layers of tissue that work to protect internal muscles and organs - the dermis and epidermis. Interesting fact: the dermis of cows is the part of the body from which leather is made! The damage of the dermis leaves visible lines such as stretch marks which can develop on the tummy and breasts of women during pregnancy.
The skins purpose is to keep pathogens away from the body, which are causes of disease. Unless this barrier is broken, only through orifices such as the mouth and open wounds can micro-organisms enter.
Skin colour is determined by pigments in the skin, by blood circulating through the skin, and by the thickness of the stratum corneum, (the outer most layer of the epidermis, consisting of dead, scaly cells.) Melanin is the group of skin pigments responsible for skin, hair and eye colour. Racial variations in skin colour are determined by the amount, kind and distribution of melanin.
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