Skin

What is it? What does it do?

What is it ?

• The outer covering of body• Made up of two very different basic tissue

types– the epidermis which is composed of epithelial

tissues– The dermis which is composed of connective tissue

Skin is really an organ

• It provides sensory information, protection from the environment, and the regulation of body temperature.

What does it do?

• Prevents loss of water• Barrier to germs• Regulation of body temperature• Sensory response• Excretion of waste• Makes Vitamin D

Senses

• Hot/Cold• Rough/Smooth• Pain• Wet/Dry• Pressure• Hard/soft

Pigment

• All humans have the same protein for skin color, melanin. Some have more than others.

• It determines how dark or light your skin is.• Melanin functions provides protection from

UV rays. • Amount of melanin in skin increases with

exposure to UV light.