Skin - Functions of skin

Skin

The skin is a major organ of the body forming 8% of its total mass
and having an area between 1.1-2.2m2. It is the major interface between the
body and the environment and covers the entire surface. It is continuous with
mucosae at the various orifices and with lining tissue of organs like eyes and
ears

Various structures including sebaceous glands, sweat glands, hair
follicles and nails are formed by modifications of epidermis. Sebaceous glands
secrete an oily substance called sebum and open on the sides of the hair
follicles. Sweat glands are of two types, Merocrine and Apocrine. Merocrine
glands are found throughout the body opening on the surface and secreting a
clear watery fluid. Apocrine glands are found in the regions like axilla, areola,
pubis, scrotum and perianal regions. Their ducts may open on the surface or
into the hair follicle.

Dermis is made up of connective tissue consisting of matrix in which is
embedded elastic and collagen fibres to give strength and elasticity. It also
provides a compartment for blood vessels, lymphatics, nerves and cells
associated with immunity. Receptors for the sensations such as touch, pain,
pressure, warmth, cold and vibration senses are also found in the skin.
Circulation through the skin serves two major functions nutrition and
conduction of heat to the environment.

Functions of skin

1. Skin forms an effective barrier against infection by microbes.
2. It prevents dehydration and provides defense against chemical, osmotic,
thermal and photic damage.
3. It limits and regulates heat loss.
4. It provides a major sensory surface with a range of receptors.
5. It has limited excretory and absorptive functions.
6. Skin also helps in the formation of vitamin D.
7. Its keratinization and high friction coefficient gives the skin a
characteristic texture and helps in movement and handling of various
substances.

Related Topics in Zoology:

Bio Zoology All Important Topics

  1. Human Physiology Introduction
  2. Nutrition
  3. Carbohydrates Poly hydroxyaldehydes (or) ketones
  4. Proteins (Polypeptides)
  5. Lipids
  6. Vitamins – Functions Of Vitamins
  7. Deficiency of Vitamin
  8. Minerals – Water – Role of water
  9. Balanced diet
  10. Obesity
  11. Digestive System
  12. Dental Caries (Tooth decay)
  13. Root Canal Treatment
  14. Peptic ulcer
  15. Hernia and Types
  16. Appendicitis (Appendix)
  17. Gall Stones
  18. Hepatitis
  19. Fractures – Types of fractures
  20. Mechanism of fracture
  21. Dislocation of joints
  22. Arthiritis
  23. Rickets and Osteomalacia – Orthopedics
  24. Muscles
  25. Mechanism of muscle contraction
  26. Types of muscle contraction
  27. Myasthenia Gravis
  28. Respiration – Process of pulmonary respiration
  29. Mechanism of Breathing
  30. Regulation of Respiration
  31. Pneumonia Tuberculosis Symptoms Treatment
  32. Bronchitis – Acute bronchitis, Chronic Bronchitis Causes
  33. Circulatory System – Functioning of Human heart
  34. Cardiac Cycle
  35. Coronary blood vessel and its significance
  36. Myocardial infarction
  37. Angina pectoris
  38. Angiogram – Angioplasty
  39. Atherosclerosis
  40. Heart block Echo cardiography Heart Valves
  41. Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), ICCU – (Intensive Coronary Care Unit)
  42. Blood Pressure
  43. Heart transplantation
  44. Pulse rate
  45. Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
  46. Blood – Composition of plasma – Blood cells
  47. Clotting of Blood or Haemostasis
  48. Thrombosis
  49. Nervous system Co-ordination systems
  50. The Brain – Fore Brain, Midbrain, Hindbrain
  51. Memory
  52. Sleep – Types of sleep
  53. Stroke – Brain haemorrhage
  54. Alzheimer – Meningitis (Brain fever)
  55. Conditioned reflex
  56. Electroencephalography EEG
  57. Right and Left brain concept
  58. Spinal cord functioning
  59. Chemical co-ordination – Functions of Endocrine glands
  60. Hypothalamus
  61. Pituitary gland – hormone
  62. Hormones of Neurohypophysis – vasopressin
  63. Thyroid gland
  64. Parathyroid Gland
  65. Pancreas
  66. Adrenal gland
  67. Gonads
  68. Receptor Organs – Eye
  69. Photochemistry of Retinal visual Pigments
  70. Errors of refraction
  71. Optometry – Retinopathy
  72. Cataract – Lens Replacement – Glaucoma – Nyctalopia
  73. Eye Infections and Eye Care
  74. Ear
  75. Mechanism of hearing
  76. Defects of the ear
  77. Hearing Aid – Noise pollution
  78. Skin and functions of skin
  79. Melanin functions
  80. Effects of solar radiation / UV radiation – Skin grafting
  81. Dermatitis
  82. Tongue – Mechanism of Stimulation
  83. Excretion Ureotelism Nephron
  84. Mechanism of urine formation
  85. Renal Failure, Dialysis, Kidney Machines
  86. Kidney stone – Kidney transplantation
  87. Diabetes mellitus
  88. Functioning of male reproductive system
  89. Functioning of female reproductive system
  90. Ovulation and fate of the ovum – Menstrual cycle
  91. Fertilization
  92. Birth control

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Root Canal Treatment

Image
Root Canal Treatment Root Canal Treatment is a modern dental procedure to save a tooth in which the pulp (the living tissue within a tooth) has died or become untreatably diseased, usually as a result of extensive dental caries. Steps involved in Root Canal Treatment (1) A hole is drilled into the crown to remove all material from the pulp chamber. The root canals are then cleaned with fine-tipped instruments. The procedure is usually monitored by X-rays. (2) The cavity is washed out, and antibiotic paste and a temporary filling are packed into it. Some days later, the filling is removed and the canals are checked for sterlity. (3) When no infection can be detected, the cavity is filled with a sealing paste and/or tapering solid “point” made of gutta – percha resin mixed with zinc and bismuth oxides. The mouth of cavity is then sealed with cement. Related Topics in Zoology: Bio Zoology All Important Topics Human Physiology Introduction Nutrition Carbohydrates Poly hydroxyaldehydes...
Read more

Eye Infections and Eye Care

Image
Eye Infections and Eye Care Eye Infections 1. Stye A stye is an acute infection of the glands located at the eyelid margin. There is swelling, pain, itching and redness in a small area at the lid margin. Treatment consists of using frequent warm compresses on the eye. (Eye Infections) 2. Conjunctivitis: Infection in the conjuctiva is called conjunctivitis. Due to the infection the invisible blood vessels within the conjunctiva become engorged. Inflammation of the conjuctiva causes redness, discomfort and a discharge from the affected eye. The most common causes for conjunctivitis are infections (in children) and allergy (in adults). (Eye Infections) 2a. Infective conjunctivitis : Most conjunctival infection are caused by bacteria (e.g staphylococci) and are spread by hand-to-eye contact or by viruses associated with a cold, sore throat, or illness such as measles, viral conjunctivitis sometimes occurs in epidemics, spreading rapidly through schools and other groups. (Eye Infections) 2b...
Read more

Botanical description of Hibiscus rosa sinensis

Image
Botanical description of Hibiscus rosa sinensis Hibiscus rosa sinensis Botanical description of Hibiscus rosa sinensis Hibiscus rosa sinensis General Characters Habit Perennial shrub. Root Tap root system. Stem Aerial, erect, cylindrical, woody and branched. Leaf Simple, Alternate, petiolate, stipulate, serrate, glabrous, apex acuminate with multicostate reticulate venation. Inflorescence Solitary cyme and axillary. Flower Pedicel jointed, bracteate, bracteolate, bisexual, large, showy, pentamerous, dichlamydeous, actinomorphic, complete and hypogynous and mucilage is present in floral parts. Epicalyx 5 to 8 bracteoles outer to the calyx. They are green and free. Calyx Sepals 5, green, gamosepalous showing valvate aestivation and odd sepal is posterior in position. Corolla Petals 5, variously coloured, polypetalous but fused at the base and showing twisted aestivation. Androecium Numerous stamens, monadelphous, filaments are fused to form a staminal tube around the style. Staminal tube...
Read more