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 skin
Marketing a 'spoonful of sugar'
Other Sciences / Social Sciences
Dec 15, 2009 |
3 / 5 (2) |
0
Your kids won't wear their seatbelts, take their vitamins or brush their teeth? A new study by Tel Aviv University offers a simple formula that will get better compliance in the kid department -- and has implications for ...
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Whose Tattoo Is It Anyway?
Dec 14, 2009 |
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0
(PhysOrg.com) -- An infra-red digital camera could be a crucial tool in the fight against crime when trying to identify suspects by their tattoos, according to new University of Derby research.
Small Fingers More Touch Sensitive
Medicine & Health / Neuroscience
15 hours ago |
4.7 / 5 (3) |
0
When it comes to finger sensitivity, bigger isn't always better.
Lung cancer and melanoma laid bare: First comprehensive analysis of two cancer genomes
18 hours ago |
5 / 5 (4) |
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Research teams led by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute announce the first comprehensive analyses of cancer genomes. All cancers are caused by mutations in the DNA of cancer cells which are acquired during a person's lifetime. ...
Argonne scientists use bacteria to power simple machines
21 hours ago |
4.8 / 5 (4) |
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Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory and Northwestern University, Evanston, have discovered that common bacteria can turn microgears when suspended in a solution, providing insights for ...
Cold war - Fighting the threat of latent TB (w/ Podcast)
Dec 15, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists are making breakthroughs in studying the latent form of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This work could revolutionise the treatment of TB.
Researchers ID traits of people with rare accelerated aging syndrome
Dec 15, 2009 |
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UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have provided the most extensive account to date of the unique observable characteristics seen in patients with an extremely rare premature aging syndrome.
NXP Introduces Advanced 3DTV Processor
Dec 15, 2009 |
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NXP Semiconductors today announced the availability of the PNX5130, the industry's first video co-processor enabling 3DTV, frame-rate conversion (FRC) and local backlight dimming in a single chip. By eliminating the need ...
DNA of Jesus-era shrouded man in Jerusalem reveals earliest case of leprosy
Other Sciences / Archaeology & Fossils
Dec 16, 2009 |
4.2 / 5 (11) |
3
The DNA of a 1st century shrouded man found in a tomb on the edge of the Old City of Jerusalem has revealed the earliest proven case of leprosy. Details of the research will be published December 16 in the ...
Leprosy susceptibility genes reported
15 hours ago |
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In the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) of leprosy and the largest GWAS on an infectious disease, scientists at the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) and 26 institutes in China identified seven genes that increase ...
MESSENGER team releases first global map of mercury
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Dec 15, 2009 |
5 / 5 (5) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- NASA's MESSENGER mission team and cartographic experts from the U. S. Geological Survey have created a critical tool for planning the first orbital observations of the planet Mercury - a global ...
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