Questions: In addition to protection (physical and chemical barrier), the skin serves other functions. Which of the following is another vital function of the skin? It absorbs vitamin C so that the skin will not be subject to diseases. The cells of the epidermis store glucose as glycogen for energy. It aids in the transport of materials throughout the body. It converts modified epidermal cholesterol to a vitamin D precursor important to calcium metabolism.

In addition to protection (physical and chemical barrier), the skin serves other functions. Which of the following is another vital function of the skin?
It absorbs vitamin C so that the skin will not be subject to diseases.
The cells of the epidermis store glucose as glycogen for energy.
It aids in the transport of materials throughout the body.
It converts modified epidermal cholesterol to a vitamin D precursor important to calcium metabolism.

Transcript text: In addition to protection (physical and chemical barrier), the skin serves other functions. Which of the following is another vital function of the skin? It absorbs vitamin C so that the skin will not be subject to diseases. The cells of the epidermis store glucose as glycogen for energy. It aids in the transport of materials throughout the body. It converts modified epidermal cholesterol to a vitamin D precursor important to calcium metabolism.

Solution

The answer is the last one: It converts modified epidermal cholesterol to a vitamin D precursor important to calcium metabolism.

Explanation for each option:

It absorbs vitamin C so that the skin will not be subject to diseases.
- This is incorrect. The skin does not absorb vitamin C in a way that prevents diseases. Vitamin C is primarily obtained through diet and is important for collagen synthesis and antioxidant protection, but it is not absorbed through the skin in significant amounts for disease prevention.
The cells of the epidermis store glucose as glycogen for energy.
- This is incorrect. The epidermis does not store glucose as glycogen. Glycogen storage occurs primarily in the liver and muscles, not in the skin.
It aids in the transport of materials throughout the body.
- This is incorrect. While the skin can play a role in the excretion of waste products through sweat, it is not primarily responsible for the transport of materials throughout the body. This function is mainly carried out by the circulatory system.
It converts modified epidermal cholesterol to a vitamin D precursor important to calcium metabolism.
- This is correct. The skin plays a crucial role in the synthesis of vitamin D. When exposed to sunlight, specifically UVB radiation, the skin converts 7-dehydrocholesterol to previtamin D3, which is then converted to vitamin D3. This vitamin D precursor is essential for calcium metabolism and bone health.