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The skin has many purposes.
The skin:
The skin is divided into two main layers: the outer layer known as the epidermis and a layer underneath called the dermis.
Underneath these is a deeper layer made up of fatty tissue. The epidermis contains three types of cells. Most of the epidermis is filled with cells known as squamous cells. At the base of the squamous cells are rounder cells called basal cells. In between the basal cells are other cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes produce the pigment melanin. It’s this pigment that gives skin its colour.
The structure of the skin
View a large version the image of the structure of the skin|
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