(1) To regulate body temperature. The skin which is exposed

to the cooling action of the air outside, plays an important

part in regulating the loss of heat and maintaining uniform

temperature of body. This is dine by the mechanism if

dilation and contraction of superficial blood vessels and by

the evaporation of water from the body surface. In fact

this function if the skin can be compared to that of the

radiator of a car

(2)To act as a sense organ. Pain heat, pressure, cold,

touch, etc.. are all felt by the skin and conveyed to the brain

(3)To protect internal organs against external injury and

infection. Many an injury is limited to the skin. But for

skin, our bones would be cracking too often. In fact this

function of the skin can be compared to that of the radiator

of a car.

(4)To eliminate waste products through sweat glands

(5)To protect the body form harmful rays of the sun by means

of pigments of the outer skin