Skin+Cells+-+MP

= = toc =Introduction=

Whether or not you know about cells there are many types in our body. Every type of cell has a specific job or function and looks different depending on what it does. One type of cell is the skin cell. Did you know that millions of skin cells die per day and have to be replaced? The skin is actually the largest organ in the human body and is constantly throughout our lives. The structure, function, and real life connection of skin cells is really important for people to know especially because without our skin our body would disappear and not be able to survive against the environment. = = =The Structures of the skin= = = The structure of the skin is made up of three layers the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutis. The epidermis is the layer of skin that is the most outer part and it changes in thickness depending on where the skin is. For example the bottom of your feet would be the thicker than the skin on your wrist. There are five layers that make up the epidermis and each have their own function. The epidermis is made up of a protein called keratin which is also in your nails and hair. The dermis is made up of a protein also called collagen. It contains nerves and tiny blood vessels. The nerves are important because they give your brain a signal when you touch something. There is also sweat glands and hair follicles found in the dermis. The last layer of the skin is called the subcutis (the base layer). The subcutis has a layer of fat which the skin uses as fuel when it doesn’t have enough food. This layer of fat is important because the body uses it as insulation and protection.
 * This picture is of the different layers of the skin and what they are called.**

=The functions of the skin=

One function of the skin cell is called protecting the body. The skin cell protects the body so they don't loose those fluids.Another function of the skin is maintaining temperature. When your body becomes too warm, blood vessels enlarge and the amount of blood that flows through them increases. This happens because it allows heat to move from your body into the outside environment. Also, Your body cools when sweat glands in your skin respond to excess heat by producing perspiration, when that evaporates from your skin your skin will be cooled. Another important function of the skin is how your body eliminates wastes. perspiration has dissolved waste materials that come from the breakdown of chemicals during the cellular process. Although, your skin is helping to eliminate wastes whenever you perspire. one example of this is when some of the wastes that come from the breakdown and proteins are eliminated in perspiration. One of the other functions is how the human body gathers information. Another thing that the skin does is that it gathers information about the environment. If you press on your arm with 2 fingers and then pinch yourself, then you have just tested the nerves in your skin. Nerves in the skin provide information like pressure, pain, and temperature. Those pain messages that you feel are important because it warn you that something could be wrong with your body. Vitamin D is also another important function of the body. some of the skin cells in the human body produce vitamin D in the presence of sunlight. One way vitamin D is important is because it is really good for your bones and it helps the cells in your digestive system to absorb calcium in the food you eat, Also your skin only needs a few minutes of sunlight to produce the vitamin you need for a day.

=Real Life Connection=

One real life connection is it keeps your brain connected to the world and what's happening. For example if you get a cut, your skin signals your body and tells the brain that something is wrong. Your skin is like a barrier and it heals itself. First blood vessels tighten together to close the wound and stop it from bleeding. Next a protein known as fiber cross links on the top of the skin preventing anything from getting out or coming in like bacteria. Then a cell called a white blood cell goes to the cut and sees if there is anything in the cut that is bad for you and if there is the white blood cell will eat it. Finally the dermis closes to contract the wound. = = = media type="youtube" key="TLVwELDMDWs" width="560" height="315" =
 * This video will show you what happens when you get a cut and how your body will heal the wound.**

=Conclusion= Skin cell structure, function, and real life connection is beneficial for people in general. Without skin our body would be not protected from the elements of the environment. How the skin looks (structure) and its job (function) are important because without these skin cells our body would die. = = =References=

Ed, Ted. “How a wound heals itself - Sarthak Sinha.” Ted Ed. Ted Ed, n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. . “Human Body Labeled Diagram For Kids.” HUMAN ANATOMY. HUMAN ANATOMY, 24 Sept. 2015. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. . Padilla, Michael J., Ioannis Miaoulis, and Martha Cyr. Prentice Hall Science Explorer. Boston: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2007. Print. Oswald, Rachel. “How Your Skin Works.” HowStuffWorks. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016. .