How Does the Skin Act as a Barrier
how the does the skin act as a barrier
The skin is cleverly designed to perform in helping the skin acting as a physical, chemical and physical barrier for the body.
The physical barrier acts as a protective cover to protect us from the environment i.e. pathogens, physical abrasions and radiation from the sun.
Yet it is known to be one of the largest organs in the body in weight and in surface area. In adults, the skin makes up 16% of body weight and the skin covers an area of about 2 square meters. http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/factfiles/skin/skin.shtml. Structurally the skin consists of three separate layers 1) Epidermis 2) Dermis 3) subcutaneous tissue.
The Epidermis is the outer and thinner portion composed of stratified squamous epithelium, which is attached to the inner, thicker, connective tissue called the dermis. Beneath the dermis is what’s called the subcutaneous layer consists of areolar and adipose tissues.
Figure 1 shows the structure of the skin.
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Therefore, the structure of the skin as to the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous layer enables individual component inside each sector to function and work together as a physical barrier for the skin. i.e. the epidermis is made of keratinized cells to protect the skin against harmful substances and against abrasion (interacting with the environment). The dermis provides support and bulk for the epidermis as well as anchors the skin. The subcutaneous layer stabilises the position of the skin. In addition to this, the epidermis being the outermost layer of the skin is the most essential part of this essay. For it have five compartments to give an effective and strong protective layer.
The Epidermis consists of five separate layers called stratum corneum, stratum lucidum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum and stratum basale.
Figure 2 exhibits the structure of the epidermis
http://www.biocell.org/boc/097/0479/boc0970479f01.htm?resoution=HIGH
The outermost
The skin is cleverly designed to perform in helping the skin acting as a physical, chemical and physical barrier for the body.
The physical barrier acts as a protective cover to protect us from the environment i.e. pathogens, physical abrasions and radiation from the sun.
Yet it is known to be one of the largest organs in the body in weight and in surface area. In adults, the skin makes up 16% of body weight and the skin covers an area of about 2 square meters. http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/factfiles/skin/skin.shtml. Structurally the skin consists of three separate layers 1) Epidermis 2) Dermis 3) subcutaneous tissue.
The Epidermis is the outer and thinner portion composed of stratified squamous epithelium, which is attached to the inner, thicker, connective tissue called the dermis. Beneath the dermis is what’s called the subcutaneous layer consists of areolar and adipose tissues.
Figure 1 shows the structure of the skin.
www.cancerbackup.org.uk
Therefore, the structure of the skin as to the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous layer enables individual component inside each sector to function and work together as a physical barrier for the skin. i.e. the epidermis is made of keratinized cells to protect the skin against harmful substances and against abrasion (interacting with the environment). The dermis provides support and bulk for the epidermis as well as anchors the skin. The subcutaneous layer stabilises the position of the skin. In addition to this, the epidermis being the outermost layer of the skin is the most essential part of this essay. For it have five compartments to give an effective and strong protective layer.
The Epidermis consists of five separate layers called stratum corneum, stratum lucidum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum and stratum basale.
Figure 2 exhibits the structure of the epidermis
http://www.biocell.org/boc/097/0479/boc0970479f01.htm?resoution=HIGH
The outermost
Bibliography: http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/factfiles/skin/skin.shtml, (Accessed: 27 January 2009) http://www.bioskinbalm.com/dry/ (accessed: 28 January 2009) http://www.biocell.org/boc/097/0479/boc0970479f01.htm?resoution=HIGH (accessed: 27 January 2009) Brooker,C.G (1993) human structure and function.London:mosby. www.cancerbackup.org.uk (2003) (Accessed: 27 January 2009). http://www.chw.org/display/PPF/DocID/21851/router.asp Marieb, E. (2006) Essentials of human Anatomy and Physiology. 8th Edition. San Francisco: Prentice Hall. Martini, F. (1995) fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology 2nd edition png - upload.wikimedia.org/.../2/20/Skinlayers.png (2008) (accessed: 28 January 2009) http://www.organicguide.com/health-beauty/skincare/what-is-skin/ (accessed: 4 January 2009)