Chapter 11 Lesson 6 The Skin Click!
Function and Structure of the Skin The skin has two layers that help to: Regulate body temperature Eliminate waste Gather information about the environment Produce vitamin D
Protecting the body The skin forms a barrier that keeps harmful substances out
Maintaining Temperature If you become too warm blood vessels in your skin enlarge The widened vessel allows more blood to flow through them and body heat to escape into the environment. Sweat glands produce perspiration to cool skin if you get cold, blood vessels contract; reduces blood flow to skin & helps body conserve heat
Eliminating Wastes Skin eliminates waste when you perspire Perspiration contains dissolved waste materials
Producing Vitamin D Some skin cells produce vitamin D in the presence of sunlight Vitamin D helps absorb calcium (healthy bones) We need sunlight each day to produce enough vitamin D
The Skin 11.6 Structures of the Skin
What is the outer layer of the skin called? epidermis
melanin What is a pigment that provides color to the skin and is produced in the deep layers of the epidermis?
dermis What is the inner layer of the skin that is above the fat layer and includes the nerves, blood vessels, sweat glands, hair, and oil glands?
What are the openings in your skin that allow sweat to reach the surface? PORES
FOLLICLE Where the strands of hair within the dermis grow. Oil around the __________ keep the surface of the skin moist and hairs flexible.