Your Epidermis is Showing Trivia Quiz

Answer: Three

Skin is made of three layers, the outer layer being the epidermis, and the inner layers called the dermis and hypodermis. Another name you can give to the dermis would be the cutis. This is the largest organ of the body, keeping all forms of bacteria and pathogens at bay as a first line of defence.

Answer: It is able to eat and digest mites and parasites that bug your skin

The epidermis does not have a digestive system of its own to fight against mites. What it does do is distribute melanin pigments to create the distinctive colour of your skin. Despite different colours, we humans all share the same number of pigment cells, but they are arranged in distinctive distributions.

The epidermis also has no blood vessels, so to get nourishment, it diffuses oxygen. This means the epidermis is the only other organ other than the lungs that get exposed to atmospheric oxygen.

Answer: To provide flexibility and strength

The dermis consists of a layer of collagen, elastin and fibrillin. These give the skin the required flexibility and strength. Located within the dermis layer are our nerve endings, sweat and oil glands, blood vessels and hair follicles.

Answer: Attaches the skin to bone and muscle.

The hypodermis attaches the skin to bone and muscle whilst supplying blood vessels. The substance of the hypodermis is elastin and connective tissue. Interestingly, the hypodermis holds 50% of our body fat.

Answer: Head

Dandruff is a form of dry skin as a result of dead skin cells. Dandruff is normal but there are several excess dandruff cases which can be caused by a number of reasons including having dry skin, lack of cleanliness and too much shampooing (figure out the balance) and a fungal infection.

Answer: False

Psoriasis is one of the worst skin disease that one can be afflicted with. The disease is an autoimmune disease which covers the body in patches of red itchy skin. The worst cases can cover the whole body whereas others can have isolated patches in certain parts. It cannot be cured but there is some relief by using steroid creams and ultraviolet light.

Answer: Wrinkles

Rhytids are not a type of pathogen or deadly toxin, they are simply wrinkles! Wrinkles are a form of damage to skin over time, and repairs to the skin replace those broken fibres. This causes the skin to stretch out as more damage accumulates, and repairs continue to create long strands of collagen. This creates flaps of skin we call our wrinkles.

Answer: Governing body rhythms

Our skin has many functions for our bodies, including protection, sense, heat regulation, sweating, looking good, storage (especially of lipids and water) and being able to ward off water from rain and the like. Also the aesthetic of having good looking skins implies good health, youth and being attractive.

Answer: Blackhead or whitehead

The main difference between a blackhead and a whitehead is simple. Blackheads tend to open the skin, which exposes the dirt to the air and oxidises. This turns it black, hence the name. Whiteheads on the other hand are closed by skin. This makes a slight protrusion, which could eventually lead to the development of pus.

Answer: Sebaceous Glands

The sebaceous gland has the purpose of releasing sebum, an oily and waxy substance that serves to protect the skin from different atmospheric conditions. Under hot sun, sebum emulsifies sweat to create a protective layer on your skin, which delays dehydration. If you're caught in the rain, sebum acts as a waterproof layer.