How does the stratum corneum protect against disease?

Answer 1

The stratum corneum serves an important barrier function by keeping molecules from passing into and out of the skin, thus protecting the lower layers of skin. The stratum corneum (or outermost layer of skin) provides the under layers of skin with protection from things like, drying out, becoming damaged, allowing infections to penetrate, etc.

The stratum corneum is 20-30 cells layers thick and accounts for about 3/4 the thickness of the epidermis. Keratin is abundant in the stratum corneum. A new layer is formed every 25-45 days. It is an "overcoat" for the body and protects deeper cells from external damage.

Answer 2

As you probably know, there are millions of pathogens and bad bacteria everywhere. A lot of these latch onto the skin in attempt to infect someone. The skin however maintains a warm body temperature that kills certain pathogens, it also has a unique blend of oils that also eliminates pathogens. And on top of that, millions of skin cells slough off every minute, as these skin cells fall of the body, so do the pathogens that were attached to it.

Answer 3

The skin protects the body from disease by keeping disease-causing microorganisms outside the body. It presents a physical barrier, and also prevents disease via the acid mantle.

The skin protects the body from disease by providing a barrier from the environment.

The skin is an organ of double-layered tissue stretched over the surface of the body and protecting it from drying or losing fluid, from harmful pathogens and contaminates, and from extremes of temperature.

The inner layer, called the dermis, contains sweat glands, blood vessels, nerve endings (sense receptors), and the bases of hair and nails. The outer layer, the epidermis, is only a few cells thick; it contains pigments, pores, and ducts, and its surface is made of dead cells that it sheds from the body.

(Hair and nails are adaptations arising from the dead cells.) The sweat glands excrete waste and cool the body through evaporation of fluid droplets; the blood vessels of the dermis supplement temperature regulation by contracting to preserve body heat and expanding to dissipate it. Separate kinds of receptors convey pressure, temperature, and pain. Fat cells in the dermis insulate the body, and oil glands lubricate the epidermis.

Answer 4

The skin acts as a barrier against entry of pathogens. Skin that is intact prevents any micro-organisms entering your body. Skin that is not intact, for example, you have a cut in your skin, will allow entry of pathogens. Glands in the skin also secrete fatty acids and sweat that contains salt. These secreted substances inhibit bacterial entry.

Answer 5

Most diseases require a moist environment in which to proliferate, and the skin is usually dry. So bacteria or other pathogens that encounter the skin, cannot grow freely and consume the body.

Answer 6

stratum corneum functions as a physical barrier to light and heat waves, microorganisms(e.g. bacteria, fungi, protozoa & viruses) and most chemicals.