Skin+Cells+-+JB

=Introduction= toc

Skin, the largest organ in our body and a barricade for our organs. Think of skin like a drawbridge in a castle, without it all chaos would break loose. I bet you've heard of cancer, and just like all other parts in your body your skin can get it too. Watch out, skin cancer is easier to get than any other cancer out there. If you make everyday mistakes like being too exposed to the sun, you can wind up with skin cancer. That’s why learning about your skin is one of the best ways to prevent skin cancer. You must know your enemy very well in order to stop it. Also, Why do we even have skin? You must’ve asked yourself that before. = = =Function Of A Skin Cell=

The function of skin cells is to form skin that protects our body from harm. Specifically, skin can prevent germs and bacteria from entering our body. This is important because our organs would be vulnerable to everything. Usually people that are starting to learn more about skin ask a lot of questions. Some of those questions are, how is skin formed? Why do we need skin? Where do skin cells go after they die? And, what is the epidermis? First and foremost, skin is formed from skin cells that divide and multiply into more skin cells. Also,according to ¨Brainpop¨ we need skin to protect our bodies from harm. Another way to think of our skin is like a wall, nothing can get in. Just like China needed the great wall to protect it from enemies, we need our skin to protect us from”enemies”. Next, if you’ve ever wondered, where our skin goes after it dies, it falls right off and new skin regenerates. That may seem weird but if your skin didn’t fall off your new skin wouldn’t have anywhere to go. Finally to clear up any confusion, the epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin that is mostly made up of dead skin cells( Susan Glass). As you can see the skin has a lot of different features and this is just a fraction of what you’ll learn about skin.

This picture shows sweat glands, hair, and blood vessels beneath the skin ==

=Structures Of A Skin Cell=

One Structure that helps the function is the epidermis. The epidermis is seven layers of cells. The top layer consists of dead cells that shed off and regenerate. Specifically the bottom part of the epidermis protects the body from harm. The cells in the epidermis have a life cycle. Those skin cells begin life in the epidermis and fulfill their duty of dividing and creating new skin cells. During the process, new skin cells in the epidermis are formed and the original skin cells move upwards further into the epidermis. In the time span of about two weeks, the cells die and become apart of the epidermal surface layer. About two weeks after those cells reach the epidermal surface layer, they are shed of and replaced by other cells from below (Human Biology and Health).

=Skin Cells: What Is Skin Cancer?=

Skin cancer is the result of genes in skin cells being damaged. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the world. A factor of skin cancer is the sun. The sun can damage the genes and cause the cells to multiply rapidly. As bad as skin cancer is, there are simple ways to prevent it. For instance when it’s a sunny day take the extra time to thoroughly put sunblock on. Believe it or not, that sun block has the power to prevent your genes from being permanently damaged from the sun. You can even wear more protective clothing, that makes a big difference. Diving deeper into skin cancer, there are two classifications that doctors refer to. There is melanoma which is a lot more concerning than the other type, nonmelanoma. Specifically, melanoma is a very powerful cancer that can eventually spread into different parts of the body. Meanwhile, non melanoma is a less severe form of skin cancer, but watch out there are many different forms of non melanoma that can harm your skin. According to the website, Skin Cancer.Org, “ Over the past three decades, more people have had skin cancer than all other cancers combined.” This means that one type of cancer outnumbers all the other types of cancer in existence. This makes sense because if you’re not careful, you can get skin cancer. Next time you’re at the beach on a sunny day and you don’t feel like you’ll need sunscreen, think again because whether you’re young or old, you need to protect your skin. [|More Info on Skin Cancer]

=Conclusion=

You've probably never thought about your body like this but we are actually walking oceans. When you think about it our skin is keeps our organs and water in place. The inside of our bodies would not be able to function without our skin. Our skin is designed to protect our body,react and learn to develop based on what happens to it. Just like our skin learns, so do scientists who are learning new ways to stop cancer and other issues with our skin. Similar to how diseases are treated and cured with newly discovered medicines, our skin will eventually not have the issues that it faces today and be able to be treated without issue.

For more information about skin

media type="custom" key="28994695" =References= Works Cited Coolidge-Stolz, Elizabeth, et al. Human Biology and Health. Boston, Pearson, 2009. Glass, Susan. Cells. Logan, Perfection Learning, 2005. “Skin.” BrainPOP, 2017, www.brainpop.com/health/bodysystems/skin/. Accessed 30 Jan. 2017. Skin Cancer.Org. 8 June 2016, www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts. Accessed 31 Jan. 2017. “Skin Clipart.” Clipart Free Collection, 5 Feb. 2015, www.wingswatches.co/files/2/44718_skin-clipart.html. Accessed 3 Feb. 2017. “What Is Skin For?” Youtube, uploaded by MinuteEarth, 27 Oct. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8AYLGJuyvw&t=26s. Accessed 3 Feb. 2017. “What Makes Tattoos Permanent? - Claudia Aguirre.” Youtube, uploaded by Ted Ed, 10 July 2014, www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Ted+ed+What+makes+tatoos+permanent+. Accessed 30 Jan. 2017. “Why Do We Have Different Skin Colors?” Youtube, uploaded by Test Tube 101, 8 June 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEQYdi3ZvQg. Accessed 30 Jan. 2017. Word Book Online. 2017, www.worldbookonline.com/kids/home#article/ar831986. Accessed 30 Jan. 2017. “Skin.” World Book Kids. World Book, 2017. Web. 30 Jan. 2017 Word Book Online. www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar513230&st=skin+cancer#tab=homepage. Robinson, June K. “Skin cancer.” World Book Student. World Book, 2017. Web. 30 Jan. 2017.