Epidermis

High school (ages 12+)
Human Body

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/epidermis

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the histological classification?Stratified squamous epithelium, characterized by multiple layers of keratinocytes
2. What is the primary physiological roles?Barrier function (pathogen exclusion, water retention), sensory reception, UV protection (melanin production)
3. What is the epidermis and why is it important?The epidermis is the outermost layer of skin that acts like a shield, keeping us safe from germs, chemicals, and water loss.
4. How does the skin renew itself?Skin cells start in the bottom layer, grow new cells, and move up through layers until they become the outer skin cells, a cycle that takes about 28 days.

Stratum Basale: The deepest layer of the epidermis, containing stem cells responsible for cell proliferation.
Stratum Corneum: The outermost layer of the epidermis, composed of dead, keratinized cells forming a protective barrier.
Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL): The passive loss of water from the skin surface to the environment, regulated by the epidermal barrier.