The largest organ, forming a waterproof barrier that protects, senses and regulates temperature.
Epidermis (keratinised layers, melanocytes) and dermis (collagen, blood vessels, nerves, glands, hair follicles) and subcutaneous fat. Skin synthesises vitamin D under UV, prevents infection and loses water.
Skin has three layers. Melanin protects from UV. Sweat glands cool. Receptors give touch, temperature and pain.
Key idea: skin is the first line of defence.
The largest organ, forming a waterproof barrier that protects, senses and regulates temperature.
Skin is one of the 51 topics in Human Physiology. It is rated Beginner, so it suits learners who are starting out in biology. Related topics in this area include Senses, Tissues and Organs, Lymphatic System.
Burns damage barrier and cause fluid loss.
Skin is a Beginner topic, so no earlier topic is required. Other Beginner topics in Human Physiology that pair well with it include Homeostasis, Tissues and Organs, Skeletal System.
The closest topics to Skin are Senses, Tissues and Organs, Lymphatic System, Excretory System. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Skin. To practise the whole of Human Physiology, use the Human Physiology quiz.
Skin: The largest organ, forming a waterproof barrier that protects, senses and regulates temperature. Senses: Sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch detect stimuli and send information to the brain. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Senses and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Human Physiology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch detect stimuli and send information to the brain.
❤️ Human PhysiologyCells form tissues, tissues form organs and organs work together in systems.
❤️ Human PhysiologyVessels and nodes that return tissue fluid to the blood and house immune cells.
❤️ Human PhysiologyKidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra remove metabolic waste and balance water.
❤️ Human Physiology