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The skin

Study the text below:

Structure and function The skin covers your entire body on the outside. The skin offers protection against different dangers from the outside, like a flu virus. In this way the skin is part of your defense system. The different parts of the human skin. The epidermis is the upper 1-2 mm of our skin. This is where the colour of our skin comes from, it is pigment. Pigment protects you from UV-radiation. The epidermis is covered with a layer of dead skin cells called corneum. This layer stays in place because the skin cells keep growing outwards. Right underneath the epidermis lies the dermis. The dermis is a thick layer of skin where the sweatglands, oil glands and senses lie. Under the dermis there is a final layer of skin called the subcutaneous tissue. This includes a layer of fat which functions as insulation, food reserve and cushions us from knocks and falls. These three layers of skin contain another number of parts. Hairs serve as insulation and protection. The oil glands keep your skin supple and stops it from drying out. Lymph vessels help keep you healthy. The nerves connect to different sensory nerve cells imbedded in the dermis. Hair follicles grow hairs. Veins and arteries supply blood to the skins, this blood brings oxygen and nutrients which are needed by all the cells in the human body. Finally the sweat glands produce sweat which cools you down as it evaporates from your skin.

Answer the following six questions:

True or false?

1. The outer layer of your skin is covered in corneum.

2. The corneum is made up of dead skin cells.

3. The corneum contains pigment (colour).

4. The entire epidermis is made of dead skin cells.

5. Pigment protects the skin against UV-radiation.

6. Warmth and cold senses give your information about the temperature of your surroundings.