Which of the following is a function of the skin?

Which of the following is a function of the skin?

• A. Protection
• B. Digestion
• C. Oxygen transport
• D. Hormone synthesis

Answer: (A)

Protection is the skin’s primary job: it acts as a barrier against mechanical injury, pathogens, chemical exposure, and UV radiation, while helping to prevent excessive water loss and supporting immune defense. Digestion happens in the digestive tract, oxygen transport is the function of the circulatory system, and hormone synthesis is mainly an endocrine action. The skin does participate in vitamin D production when exposed to sunlight, which relates to hormonal activity, but the fundamental function described here is protection.

Protection is the skin’s primary job: it acts as a barrier against mechanical injury, pathogens, chemical exposure, and UV radiation, while helping to prevent excessive water loss and supporting immune defense. Digestion happens in the digestive tract, oxygen transport is the function of the circulatory system, and hormone synthesis is mainly an endocrine action. The skin does participate in vitamin D production when exposed to sunlight, which relates to hormonal activity, but the fundamental function described here is protection.