Skin
hideThe skin is the outer covering of the body. In humans, it is the largest organ of the integumentary system made up of multiple layers of mesodermal tissues, and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and internal organs. Skin of a different nature exists in amphibians, reptiles, birds. Human skin is not unlike that of most other mammals except that it is not protected by a pelt and appears hairless though in fact nearly all human skin is covered with hair follicles. The adjective cutaneous literally means "of the skin" (from Latin cutis, skin).
Because it interfaces with the environment, skin plays a key role in protecting (the body) against pathogens and excessive water loss. Its other functions are insulation, temperature regulation, sensation, synthesis of vitamin D, and the protection of vitamin B folates. Severely damaged skin will try to heal by forming scar tissue. This is often discolored and depigmented.
In humans, skin pigmentation varies among populations, and skin type can range from dry to oily. Such skin variety provides a rich and diverse habit for bacteria which number roughly a 1000 species from 19 phyla.
For more information about Skin, read the full article at
Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.
News tagged with human skin
Antioxidant found in berries, other foods prevents UV skin damage that leads to wrinkles
Apr 21, 2009 |
4.1 / 5 (8) |
1
Using a topical application of the antioxidant ellagic acid, researchers at Hallym University in the Republic of Korea markedly prevented collagen destruction and inflammatory response - major causes of wrinkles -- in both ...
Single factor converts adult stem cells into embryonic-like stem cells
Biology /
Feb 05, 2009 |
4.8 / 5 (8) |
0
The simple recipe scientists earlier discovered for making adult stem cells behave like embryonic-like stem cells just got even simpler. A new report in the February 6th issue of the journal Cell, a Cell Press publication, ...
From connective tissue to bones
Apr 30, 2009 |
4.8 / 5 (4) |
0
Cartilage, bones and the internal walls of blood vessels can be created by using common connective tissue cells from human skin. Researchers in reconstructive plastic surgery at Linköping University have successfully manipulated ...
Self-healing surfaces
Nanotechnology / Nanomaterials
Aug 03, 2009 |
5 / 5 (4) |
0
The engineers' dream of self-healing surfaces has taken another step towards becoming reality -- researchers have produced a electroplated layer that contains tiny nanometer-sized capsules. If the layer is ...
Skin-like tissue developed from human embryonic stem cells
Jul 21, 2009 |
not rated yet |
0
Dental and tissue engineering researchers at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences at Tufts have harnessed the pluripotency of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) ...
Stanford scientists turn adult skin cells into muscle and vice versa
Apr 30, 2009 |
5 / 5 (3) |
1
In a study featured on the cover of the May issue of The FASEB Journal, researchers describe how they are able to reprogram human adult skin cells into other cell types in order to decipher the elusive mechanisms underlying reprog ...
Building the right cells
Biology /
Jan 04, 2009 |
5 / 5 (1) |
1
Just after 5 p.m. doors rattle shut and feet begin to shuffle past the narrow lab where Karim Si-Tayeb sits hunched over a microscope, all but invisible to the scientists leaving the Medical College of Wisconsin. Si-Tayeb ...
Gene required for radiation-induced protective pigmentation also promotes survival of melanoma cells
Biology /
Nov 20, 2008 |
not rated yet |
0
Scientists have new insight into the response of human skin to radiation and what drives the most aggressive and deadly form of skin cancer. The research, published by Cell Press in the November 21st issue of the journal ...
'Dolphin pads' help prevent bedsores
Apr 03, 2009 |
4.5 / 5 (2) |
0
They say dolphins are smart, and now people are borrowing a technology that was first used on the mammals.
Automated Tissue Engineering on Demand
May 18, 2009 |
not rated yet |
0
(PhysOrg.com) -- There is an increasing demand for skin. Manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, cosmetics and medical engineering products need it in order to test the compatibility of their products ...
