Explanation Writing: The Integumentary System

How the Integumentary System Works

What is the body's largest organ? That's right skin! The skin’s main feature is to hold all the inside and in the right place and keep the bad stuff like water and germs out.

There are two skin levels the epidermis and dermis these are some of the important parts of the skin. The dermis has blood vessels, nerves, glands and hair follicles. The dermis is underneath and contains sebaceous glands which make your skin water proof. The epidermis is the skin's outer layer that serves as a protective function. The epidermis makes skin cells and the top layer of the epidermis.  The epidermis is made of dead skin cells.

The skin is very important as you also breathe through your skin. for example If you were to cover your entire body in house paint you would die, because your skin wouldn't be able to breathe. Every day your body sheds millions of dead skin cells. Your skin is made from keratin, and did you know that your hair and nails are also made from keratin. Your nails are made of a hardened form.

Your skin also contains sebaceous glands that produce oil.  These secrete oil onto the surface of the skin and begin to produce more oil during puberty.  This along with dead skin cells can create pimples.

Melanin is what creates the different colour tones to our skin.  The darker your skin the better natural sun protection we have. For example if you are of European descent (a redhead with white skin) you may be out in the sun for 4 minutes and get sunburnt, whereas an African or Indian ( dark skin and black hair) you can be out in the sun for 1 hour and still not be burnt.

Your dermis (the deeper layer of your skin) contains an erector pili, which is attached to the hair follicle.  When you get cold and get goose bumps, this contracts causing your hair to stand erect on top of your skin.  This allows for a warm layer of air to be trapped between the hair and the top of the skin to help keep the body warm.

So the skin is most important organ in the body and you should be careful with your skin.