Skin+Cells+-+AK

= = = Introduction = toc Did you know that your skin is the biggest organ of your entire body? Your skin is like the anchor of a ship. When you drop the anchor down, it will hold the ship in place and protect it from the waves wanting to push it away.. Your skin protects your body from bacteria and other viruses getting into your systems. The reason why skin cells are so important is because they form a strong, waterproof layer of protection for your body and the systems inside. Skin has a simple structure of the epidermis, dermis, and lastly the hypodermis. When these layers are ripped they will self repair themselves. Tanning can be done very easily b ut the skin can also burn very easily.

= What are Skin Cells? =

This cell has the job to connect together and form a shield which protects the systems. It acts as a shield so objects or diseases can’t get into your body and the systems inside. The skin has to prevent bacteria from getting into your body. The skin also has to be waterproof. Our bodies are filled with water we don’t need extra. Anything getting into our systems can mess them up and that can lead to serious problems and diseases, like cancer.

= Structure of Skin = Skin has a structure of three different layers, the top layer is the epidermis. The epidermis is a waterproof layer of dead skin cells. The old cells are replaced by new cells, the old cells rise from the bottom and stay on top of the epidermis until they are shed off. The epidermis also determines your skin color. Darker skinned people tan more deeply than people with lighter skin because their **melanocytes** produce more melanin. The more **melanin** you have in your body, the darker your skin.

The second layer of the skin is the dermis. The dermis is filled with different cells such as, **Sebaceous glands**, **Hair follicles**, **Sweat** **glands**, **Pigment cells** (which produce Melanin), **Sensory cells**, **Capillaries, Elastic** ** fibers, and more. **The dermis also contains m echanoreceptors which provide the sense of touch and thermoreceptors that provide the sense of h eat. This layer also consists of c onnective tissues which connects the cells together and cushions the body from stress and strain.

The last layer of the skin is the hypodermis, sometimes referred to as subcutaneous layer. The hypodermis is made up of fat and connective tissue. This layer of skin varies its size from every person. If your fat layer in your body is bigger, than you will be larger than a person who has a smaller fat layer.

**Melanocytes**: a cell that produces melanin, this cell can be found in the epidermis, the uvea in the eye, the inner ear, bones, the heart, and meninges, that are found in the skull.

**Melanin**: a pigment that can be dark brown or black, that is found in the hair, skin, and iris of the eye. This cell can be found in animals and people. This cell is also in charge of tanning.

**Sebaceous glands**: produce oil to make the skin and hair follicles waterproof.

**Hair follicles**: A gland that grows hair.

**Sweat glands**: A small gland producing sweat, found all over the body.


 * Pigment cells ** : A cell that contains melanin.


 * Sensory cells ** : Cells that determine your senses (hearing, seeing, etc.)


 * Capillaries ** : Blood vessels that form a network.

**Elastic Fibers:** A yellowish fiber composed of elastin found in networks or sheets that give elasticity to tissues in the body.

= Self Repair = After an injury to the skin the body repairs itself through ** cell division **. The density in the cells lowers, allowing cell division to occur a lot faster. New cells fill the gap and the division slows down to it’s normal speed. A cut will usually start to fill up with blood and clot together to hold the wound. A scab will then form while the new tissue is being produced to heal the wound. Every day we receive a whole new set of skin cells. 500 new cells reproduce from the stem cells pushing the older cells to shed off of our bodies and new, younger cells are replacing the old ones.


 * Cell Division**: When a cell splits into two separate cells.

= How Does Tanning Work? =

The sun's rays contain **UVB and UVA radiation**, these are the two different types of radiation that reach our skin. UVB radiation is the cause for the burning of the upper layers of skin (the epidermis), causing sunburns. UVA radiation makes people than by making its way to the lower layers of the epidermis to reach the melanocytes, which produce melanin. Melanin protects the skin from burning.


 * Radiation (UVA and UVB) ** : invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun. They can burn the skin, and cause skin cancer.

= Conclusion = Skin has a very simple structure that will protect you your whole life if you take good care of it. But the whole reason why this cell is important is because it is a waterproof shield for the systems. This shield isn’t invincible, it can be torn and it can be tanned through the sun's rays. Skin can self repair itself by producing 500 more cells everyday. Skin is an important part of everyone's life and if you keep it healthy it will protect you your entire life time. = References = = =