Introduction
The skin is said to be the largest organ of the body. It covers the entire length of body and protects the inner organs. However, skin is not permanent. The skin of an individual is constantly changing. In fact, this is the case with almost all creatures. The most well known example of changing of skin can be seen in a snake. A snake sheds its old skin and new skin appears underneath. As eerie and gross as this may seem, the same happens in humans too. The process is a bit different but the purpose is same. This article aims to educate readers on the life of a skin cell in humans.
History
A skin cell has the ability to reproduce. This is known as cell division. A skin cell has various components like protoplasm, vacuoles, mitochondria and the nucleus. The mitochondria of a skin cell are said to be the power house of the cell as they provide the cell with energy. The nucleus is the most important part of a skin cell. A skin cell reproduces by dividing its nucleus into two. As strange as this may appear, a single cell divides its nucleus into two parts and two new cells are formed. These cells have independent nuclei and all the other components that are found in a skin cell. In the fetus too – the zygote develops into a fully mature baby through cell division. Cell division is one of the most miraculous phenomena of nature. It is the reason that complex forms of life inhabit the earth today.
Features
The outer layer of our skin is known as the epidermis. The epidermis is constantly manufacturing new cells. The older cells make the outer layers of the epidermis while new cells form the inner layer of the epidermis. The old cells on the outer layer of the epidermis eventually die. But this is actually necessary to protect the skin. The dead cells form a hard, stubborn layer and help to protect your skin against cuts and bruises. This is a biological phenomenon and is meant for protection. As the dead cells further disintegrate, they fall off and newer layers take their place. An average human being is believed to shed almost 4.5 kg of dead skin cells every year. This is the cycle of a typical skin cell. The life of skin cell can be as long as 3 months in children. However, the life of a skin cell in adults only lasts up to 50 days. This is because of the reason that the skin cells and in fact all other cells of the body lose their ability to reproduce through cell division. The ability of a skin cell to replicate itself gradually decreases as we become old. This is the reason why old people have loose skin without any hint of glow.
Tips and comments
When a skin cell dies, it forms a hard covering over other layers of skin cells. This layer is actually good but needs to be replaced constantly with new cells. This is precisely the reason why using a body scrub is recommended for skin care. Exfoliating the skin gets rid of dead cells and reveals the tender cells that hide beneath. This tender skin cells cause the skin to look youthful and radiant.
