Glands of Mammalian Skin | Coloration of Mammalian Skin

Skin is the outermost layer of the body. It protects us from injury and disease, provides sensation, and helps regulate temperature. The skin also contains glands that secrete oils and other substances into the surrounding environment.

The skin has three layers: epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. The epidermis is the outermost layer and consists of four types of cells: keratinocytes, melanocytes, Langerhans cells, and Merkel cells. Melanocytes produce melanin, which gives color to hair, eyes, and skin. Langerhans cells act as antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and play a role in the immune response. Merkel cells are sensory neurons that detect touch and pressure.

Glands of Mammalian Skin

The skin of mammals contains different types of glands.

1. Sudoriferous Glands Or Sweat Glands:

They are distributed over most parts of the human body surface. These glands secrete sweat during the process of perspiration. Perspiration regulates the body temperature. The evaporation causes a cooling effect. It maintains homeostasis in the body.

Certain sweat glands also produce pheromones in some mammals. A pheromone is a chemical that an animal secretes and that communicates with other members of the same species to get certain behavioral responses.

2. Sebaceous Gland Or Oil Gland:

They are simple glands. They are connected to hair follicles in the dermis. They  secret sebum.  Sebum performs the following functions:

• Sebum lubricates and protects the hairs.
• Sebum is a permeability barrier. It acts as an emollient (makes skin soft).
• It acts protective agent against microorganisms.
• Sebum can also act as a pheromone.

Coloration Of Mammalian Skin

The following factors cause coloration in mammalian skin:

1. Pigments: The pigments produce the skin colors of mammals. Pigments like melanin are present within the cells of the epidermal layer. They are also present in hair. They are also present in specialized cells called chromatophores.

2. Anatomical structures: Skin also has anatomical structures. These structures absorb or reflect light and product colors.

3. Blood vessel: Blood in some blood vessels also produces color. Blood is present in some superficial blood vessels in the skin. The color of blood is reflected through the epidermis.

Advantages Of Skin Coloration

There are the following advantages of skin coloration:

1. Bright skin colors are produced in venomous (poisonous) animals. It deters (discourages) potential predators.

2. Some skin colors hide the animal (Grasshopper)

3. Colors play role in social communication.

4. They help members of the same species to identify each other.

5. Skin color play role in their sex, reproductive status, or social ranks.