Lifestyle Chemistry Question Paper

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Lifestyle Chemistry Task 1. Answer the following questions that outline the role of the skin: a) How is the skin used as an organ to separate the body from the external environment? • The epidermis forms a barrier to separate the rest of the body from the external environment. The stratum corneum consists of the dead skin cells that have died from lack of oxygen. These dead cells are firmly attached to one another and are keratinised and they protect the living cells beneath them and help prevent water loss. b) How does the skin assist in body temperature control? • Sweat glands produce a liquid that is released through the pores in the epidermis. When this liquid is released on the surface of the body it evaporates and this in turn…show more content…
Discuss the role of the microflora on skin in different parts of the body. Give examples. • The type of microflora found on the skin varies in other parts of the body. One species of microflora, Corynebacterium acnes, live in the hair follicles, usually without harm to a person. However, when the dead skin from the epidermis occasionally blocks a sebaceous gland of a hair follicle, the bacteria may infect surrounding tissue resulting in inflammation and causing a pimple. 4. a) What is the pH of a substance? • In chemistry, pH (Potential Hydrogen) is a measure of the acidity of an aqueous solution. b) How does the pH describe the acidity of a substance? • It uses a scale to describe the acidity level and the pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral. A pH less than 7 is acidic. A pH greater than 7 is basic. c) Name 2 different methods of measuring pH of substances (in a laboratory)? • Probe and meter • Litmus paper 5. Explain the relationship between the natural pH of the skin and the action of: a) Microflora • The bacterial microflora on our skin are able to survive acidic conditions with a pH range 4-6. Our acidic skin protects us from harmful bacteria or pathogens, our microflora are able to breakdown the fatty acid molecules and thereby increase its

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