Question
GCSE Science - Biology Question 28 of 32 True or false? Human skin produces antimicrobial secretions
Answer
4.1
(246 Votes)
Yvette
Master · Tutor for 5 years
Answer
True
Explanation
Human skin has specific glands named sebaceous glands and eccrine glands that produce sebum and sweat respectively. Both these secretions harbor antimicrobial activity. Sebum contains antimicrobial lipids and forms a layer that protects the skin from dehydration and harmful external pathogens. Similarly, sweat, produced by eccrine glands, contains dermcidin, an antimicrobial peptide that kills microbes invading through the skin. Hence, it is valid to state that the human skin produces antimicrobial secretions.