Q: The three main functions of skin are protection, regulation (keeping things stable/consistent), and sensation (feeling). Which of these functions do you think are most important to us? What are two reasons to support this claim?

Flexi Says: All these functions are important for the human body. Many of these roles are related to homeostasis. The skin’s main functions are preventing water loss from the body and serving as a barrier to the entry of microorganisms. The skin also helps regulate body temperature. When the body is too warm, sweat is released by the sweat glands and spreads over the skin surface. As the sweat evaporates, it cools the body. Blood vessels in the skin also dilate, or widen, when the body is too warm. This allows more blood to flow through the skin, bringing body heat to the surface, where it radiates into the environment. When the body is too cool, sweat glands stop producing sweat, and blood vessels in the skin constrict, or narrow, thus conserving body heat. Skin gathers information about the environment. Special nerve endings in skin sense heat, pressure, cold, and pain.