The Human Body III: Structure of the Skin – JSS1 Home Economics Lesson Note (First Term)

The skin is the outer covering of the body, made up of two main layers: the epidermis and the dermis.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. name the two main layers of the skin;
2. state the parts of the dermis and what each does;
3. mention the functions of the skin;
4. list ways of caring for the skin;
5. list the types of skin and describe each.

What is the skin?

The skin is the organ that covers the whole body and protects what is inside.

• Protects: it guards the body from germs, poor weather and injury.
• Controls temperature: it helps to keep body temperature normal.
• Removes waste: it sends out waste products in sweat.
• Needs care: it must be cleaned and looked after every day to stay healthy.

What is the structure of the skin?

The skin has two main layers: the epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (inner layer).

What is the epidermis?

The epidermis is the outer layer of the skin.

• Blood vessels and nerves: it has none.
• Hair: hairs grow out through it.
• Sweat pores: these are tiny holes through which sweat passes out of the body.

What is the dermis?

The dermis is the inner layer of the skin, lying under the epidermis.

• Sweat gland: produces sweat.
• Oil gland: produces oil that keeps the skin and hair soft and fresh.
• Blood vessels and nerves: keep the skin healthy and help it to perform its functions.
• Fat deposit: reduces heat loss from the body.

How do the epidermis and dermis differ?

What are the functions of the skin?

The skin has six main functions.

1. Protection: it protects the body from bacterial infection (germs), poor weather and injury.
2. Temperature control: it helps to keep the body temperature normal.
3. Removal of waste: it helps the body to get rid of waste products through sweating.
4. Warmth: it keeps the body warm in cold weather.
5. Vitamin D: when the sun shines on the skin, the body produces vitamin D.
6. Feeling: nerves in the skin let us feel touch, heat, cold and pain.

How do we care for the skin?

We care for the skin by keeping it clean and avoiding things that harm it.

1. Wash your whole body every day, and more than once a day where possible.
2. Do not use bleaching cream, because it can damage the skin.
3. Use mild skin cream and oil.
4. Always have a bath after a serious game or exercise to avoid body odour.
5. Avoid using other people’s towels and clothes.
6. Use good toilet soap, a soft sponge and clean water.

What are the types of skin?

There are four types of skin: normal, dry, oily and combination skin.

• Normal skin: neither too oily nor too dry, and feels soft and smooth.
• Dry skin: feels tight and rough, and may look flaky.
• Oily skin: looks shiny and greasy because the oil glands make too much oil.
• Combination skin: a mixture of oily and dry skin, for example oily on the nose and forehead and dry on the cheeks.

Evaluation

1. Name the two main layers of the skin.
2. Mention four functions of the skin.
3. State what the oil gland and the sweat gland produce.
4. List the types of skin.

Assignment

Draw and label the structure of the skin.