Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Cells, Microbes & Viruses => Topic started by: The Scientist on 18/07/2010 13:12:05

Title: What is our skin's outermost layer?
Post by: The Scientist on 18/07/2010 13:12:05

And can anyone also tell me if once the outermost layer is cut off, will we bleed?

Please provide explanations. Thanks!

Title: What is our skin's outermost layer?
Post by: Bored chemist on 18/07/2010 19:07:19

It's not my field but I believe the outermost layer is the stratum corneum. It doesn't have any blood vessels in it so you wouldn't bleed if you lost it but it does the very important job of keeping the water in the boy from evaporating so you would be in trouble without it.
There's more about it here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratum_corneum

Title: What is our skin's outermost layer?
Post by: sittingoverhere on 17/08/2010 04:41:01

I was just going to answer with 'dead'.  [;)]
As an inert barrier held many cell diameters from the nearest blood vessels (in most cases) its purpose is to act as a barrier to things trying to get in and a preventative wall to things trying to get out.