Skin is living tissue. It's the human body's largest organ and serves as a protective barrier against harmful substances and microorganisms. Skin is made up of cells that constantly renew and repair themselves, which is a hallmark of living things.
Here are some key reasons why skin is considered living:
- Growth and Development: Skin cells constantly divide and replace older cells, resulting in growth and development of the skin.
- Energy Use: Skin cells require energy to perform their functions, such as repairing themselves and producing melanin for pigmentation.
- Reproduction: Skin cells reproduce through mitosis, a process of cell division that allows for the creation of new cells.
- Response to stimuli: Skin can react to stimuli like touch, temperature, and pain.
While the hair shaft, which is a part of the skin, is made up of non-living keratinized epithelial cells, the hair follicle from which it grows is still living tissue.
