Again, your metabolic processes rely on oxygen for
proper function and healing. Fat burning, for example, requires oxygen to
complete the cycle (Kreb’s Cycle)– the more bio-available oxygen skin cells
come into contact with, the more healing and metabolic function increases.
Skin tissue is responsible for
the following:
1. Protection: an
anatomical barrier from pathogens and damage between the internal and external
environment in bodily defense; Langerhans cells in the skin are part
of the adaptive immune system.
2. Sensation: contains a variety
of nerve endings that react to heat and cold, touch, pressure,
vibration, and tissue injury; see somatosensory system and haptics.
3. Heat regulation: the
skin contains a blood supply far greater than its requirements which allows
precise control of energy loss by radiation, convection and conduction. Dilated
blood vessels increase perfusion and heat loss while constricted vessels
greatly reduce cutaneous blood flow and conserve heat. Erector pili muscles are significant in
animals.
4. Control of
evaporation: the skin provides a relatively dry and impermeable barrier to
fluid loss. Loss of this function contributes to the massive fluid loss in burns.
5. Aesthetics and
communication: others see our skin and can assess our mood, physical state and
attractiveness.
6. Storage and
synthesis: acts as a storage center for lipids and water, as well as a means of
synthesis of vitamin D by action of UV on certain parts of
the skin.
7. Excretion: sweat contains urea, however its
concentration is 1/130th that of urine, hence excretion by sweating is at
most a secondary function to temperature regulation.
8. Absorption: Oxygen,
nitrogen and carbon dioxide can diffuse into the epidermis in small amounts,
some animals using their skin for their sole respiration organ. In addition,
medicine can be administered through the skin, by ointments or by means of
adhesive patch, such as the nicotine patch or iontophoresis. The skin is an
important site of transport in many other organisms.
9. Water resistance: The
skin acts as a water resistant barrier so essential nutrients aren't washed out
of the body.
In the presence of massive amounts of
bio-available oxygen all of the above functions of the integumentary system
(skin) are heightened and can perform optimally.
