Editing Integumentary system (section)

==Functions==
The integumentary system has multiple roles in [[homeostasis|maintaining the body's equilibrium]]. All body systems work in an interconnected manner to maintain the internal conditions essential to the function of the body.  The skin has an important job of protecting the body and acts as the body's first line of defense against infection, temperature change, and other challenges to homeostasis.<ref>{{MeSH name|Integumentary+System}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last=Marieb | first=Elaine |author2=Hoehn, Katja | title=Human Anatomy & Physiology | url=https://archive.org/details/humananatomyphys00mari_4 | url-access=registration | publisher=[[Pearson Benjamin Cummings]] | year=2007 | edition=7th | page=[https://archive.org/details/humananatomyphys00mari_4/page/142 142]| isbn=9780805359107 }}</ref>

Its main functions include:

*Protect the body's internal living [[Tissue (biology)|tissue]]s and organs
*Protect against invasion by foreign organisms, including [[Infection|infectious]] organisms
*Protect the body from [[dehydration]]
*Protect the body against [[Weather|abrupt changes]] in [[temperature]], maintain [[homeostasis]]
*Help [[Excretion|excrete]] waste materials through [[perspiration]]
*Act as a receptor for touch, pressure, pain, heat, and cold (see [[Somatosensory system]])
*Protect the body against [[sunburn]]s by secreting melanin
*Generate [[vitamin D]] through exposure to [[ultraviolet]] [[light]]
*Store [[water]], [[fat]], glucose, vitamin D
*Maintenance of the body form
*Formation of new cells from stratum germinativum to repair minor injuries
*Protect from [[UV]] rays.
*Regulates body temperature
*It distinguishes, separates, and protects the organism from its surroundings.

Small-bodied invertebrates of aquatic or continually moist habitats [[Respiration (physiology)|respire]] using the outer layer (integument). This gas exchange system, where gases simply diffuse into and out of the [[interstitial fluid]], is called '''integumentary exchange'''.