Question

although some water is lost through sweat glands at the skin surface, the skin is relatively impermeable to water loss largely due to the cells of the:

Answer 1

The skin's ability to minimize water loss is attributed to the stratum corneum of the epidermis, which acts as a barrier thanks to its lipid layers and keratin-rich cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ability of the skin to retain water and limit water loss is primarily due to the stratum corneum, a component of the epidermis. The stratum corneum contains cells that are rich in keratin, a fibrous protein, and are surrounded by lipids arranged in layers that form a protective barrier against water loss from the epidermis. Though the body does excrete water through sweat glands to cool the surface and provide moisture, the specialized structure of the stratum corneum ensures that the skin remains relatively impermeable to water, thereby maintaining water balance in the body.