STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF SKIN

Skin is the largest organ of the human body. It is an impressive and vital organ.
It is a fleshy surface with hair, nerves, glands and nails. It consists of hair
follicles which anchor hair strands into the skin.
It acts as a barrier between outside and inside environment.
The skin has different thicknesses and textures. E.g. the skin under the eyes is as
thin as paper but is thick at the soles of the feet and palm.
The skin acquires an area of 20 square feet on our body surface.
It protects us from external elements, regulates the body temperature by
releasing water in the form of sweat, and allows sensations such as touch, heat,
and cold. It also guards the bones, muscles and other vital organs of our body.

Structure Of Skin
It provides a protective covering throughout our body and acts as the body’s
initial barrier against external harmful substances or foreign particles.  The hair
is made up of a protein called keratin, and the same protein is found in hooves,
horns, claws and nails of other animals too.
The structure of the skin is made up of three layers of, namely:
 Epidermis
 Dermis
 Hypodermis

Epidermis
It is the outermost layer of the skin. The cells in this layer are called
keratinocytes. The keratinocytes are composed of a protein called keratin.
Keratin strengthens the skin and makes it waterproof.
Melanocytes that produce melanin are also present in this layer. In addition,
Merkel cells essential for light-touch sensation and Langerhans cells, part of the
immune system are also present on the skin.
The epidermis is subdivided into the following layers:
 Stratum corneum
 Granular cell layer
 Spinous cell layer
 Basal cell layer
Basal layer
is beneath all other layers of the epidermis, where new cells are produced
continuously. As a result, cells get an upward thrust by the continuous
formation of new cells. They grow actively because of the blood supply below
this layer due to the presence of blood vessels.
Spinous and Granular layer
As these cells approach the next layer, they vary in their shapes and sizes. These
irregularities give rise to the next layer, the spinous layer, above which the cells
proceed to the granular layer. Cells hence begin to shrivel and die as a result of
being far away from the blood supply. This results in the formation of a protein
called Keratin.
Stratum Corneum
The outermost layer of the epidermis is the stratum corneum, which consists of
resilient and uniform scale-like cells which are overlapped. These cells contain
abundant keratin and provide rigidity to the skin. These cells are regularly
peeled off the skin’s surface which is balanced by the cells of the basal layer.
Types of Epidermal Cells
There are three main cell types in the epidermis:
 Melanocytes – These cells are located in the basal cell layer and produce
a pigment called melanin which is absorbed by the new cells to protect
against harmful sun rays. The two factors that govern the melanin
quantity in one’s body is – genes and amount of exposure to sunlight.
 Keratinocytes – They are the main cells which are produced in the basal
layer and approach towards the outermost layer.
  Langerhans – These cells are specialized to protect the body against
foreign particles and hence is part of the immune system.
The epidermis and the dermis layer are connected through a dermo-epidermal
junction and contain the basement membrane.

Dermis
Beneath the epidermis is the dermis layer.
It consists of papillae which form finger-like projections.
This layer constitutes of fat, fibres and collagen which makes the skin flexible
and strong. Dermis synthesizes Vitamin D to absorb calcium on exposure to
sunlight.
It consists of blood vessels which supply blood for the formation of new cells.
They are also vital in regulating body temperature. Nerves in the dermis are
sensitive to environmental factors such as pressure and temperature. Also, it
contains the hair follicles and sebaceous oil gland which produces sebum.
It acts as a lubricant and protects the skin by acting against the microbes.
Sweat glands are produced all over the skin and release sweat through
specialized ducts. They help the body to eliminate salts and minerals such as
urea.
An arrector pili muscle is attached to each hair follicle. This helps in the
erection of hair when we experience cold or strong emotions.

Hypodermis
This subcutaneous layer is made up of fat and forms the innermost layer.
Its thickness is dependant on the region where they appear and vary. For
example, the area around the eye is comparatively thinner for the easy
movement of the eye.
Fat stored provides energy and is crucial in reacting to ambient temperature. It
insulates the body from heat and cold. It cushions the internal organs, muscles
and bones, and protects them from any injuries

Function Of Skin
Following are a few important function of the skin in the human body:

Protection from the Environment

This is foremost and the most important function of the skin. It keeps the
pathogens away so that they do not enter into the skin and cause any harm.
Prevents Water Loss
Humans possess thick skin that loses less water. In deserts, the human skin gets
thicker to prevent water loss to dry air.
Organisms with thin skin have the possibility of losing water all the time and
need to stay near water to prevent it from drying.

Sensation
Skin is the main sense organ that can sense touch, heat, pressure, cold, pain, and
pleasure. A network of nerves transmits these signals to the brain. Thus we can
respond appropriately to a particular stimulus.

Regulation of Temperature
Our skin loses water through perspiration and cools itself, thereby, removing
heat from the body. It also allows the hot blood to move to the surface of the
skin, where its heat is radiated out of the skin. The phenomenon of
“goosebumps” is also a temperature regulation response.

Camouflage
Many animals exhibit the phenomenon of camouflage where their skin produces
colours and patterns that blend in with the surroundings and protects them
from predators. Also, it makes it easier for predators to catch their prey by
making themselves invisible in the surroundings.
The skin of chameleons can release different amounts of pigments at their own
will.

Storage
The skin can store fats and water in its tissues. These provide extra insulation to
our body.
The animals found in colder regions develop thick layers of fat to prevent
themselves from the outside cold.

Excreting Scent Signals

The sweat secreted by our skin can also act as a signal to other organisms. Many
animals mark their territories by secreting some scent from the glands in their
skin which contains information about its age, health, gender, and availability to
the mate.