Faces of Science

Skin is the largest organ in the body and is vital in terms of protecting our bodies from the environment. Skin forms a barrier between our muscles and organs and the outside world. It has a vital role stopping bacteria coming into our bodies as well as preventing our bodies losing water and other vital liquids. Skin contains nerves to help us feel temperature and pressure, and to detect pain.  The skin also has a blood supply to keep it healthy; this is important if we cut ourselves as the blood helps the skin to heal.

Skin consists of two layers:

• a thin outer epidermis layer, which is composed mainly of dead cells that are continually worn away and replaced by new cells at the base of the epidermis
• a dermis, which has specialised structures such as hair follicles, sweat glands and sebaceous glands.

Drag and drop the correct labels onto the diagram of skin structure.
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