Page 231 - DK Children's Encyclopedia

Skin SEE ALSO

▸ ▸ Body cells p.41
▸ ▸ Cells p.56
Skin is the stretchy outer layer of the body. It keeps our ▸ ▸ Genes p.119
inside parts inside and germs outside. It protects us from ▸ ▸ Heart p.128
water and sunshine, and keeps us at the right temperature. ▸ ▸ Human body

The outer layer continually flakes off as new skin is made. p.130
▸ ▸ Touch p.256
Pore
Sweat comes
Inside the skin out of the skin
from holes
The skin is split into layers. called pores. Hair
Below the outer layer that Thin hairs
you can see, there is a lot grow out of
tiny pits called
going on. hair follicles.

Epidermis
The epidermis is
the stretchy
outer layer of
skin we can see.

Dermis
This is the area
where sweat
and oil are made
to keep the skin
stretchy.

Fat
Fat helps
cushion knocks
and bumps. It
also stores
energy for
Sweat gland the body.
Produces sweat to cool
the skin. More sweat is
made if the body is warm.

Skin color
A chemical in our skin
called melanin controls Nerves Blood vessels
skin color. The more Nerves send signals These tubes carry
melanin you have in to the brain that tell blood around the Skin is the body’s
your skin, the darker it us the texture, body. They get biggest organ.
is. It is made in the temperature, and wider to allow more It weighs
epidermis, the top layer pressure of the blood to flow and to
of skin. things we touch. help the body to 8.8 lbs (4 kg)!
cool down.

229

US_229_Skin.indd 229 16/05/2017 09:51