Esthetics Core Written Practice Test

What role does excretion play in skin function?

1. Regulating body temperature

2. Removing waste products from the body

3. Improving tactile sensation

4. Facilitating absorption of nutrients

The correct answer is: Removing waste products from the body

Excretion plays a vital role in skin function primarily by removing waste products from the body. The skin is one of the body's mechanisms for excretion, primarily through the action of sweat glands. When the body produces sweat, it not only helps regulate temperature but also facilitates the elimination of certain waste products, such as salts and urea. This process helps maintain the body's internal balance and prevents the build-up of harmful substances. The other options, while integral to skin function, do not pertain specifically to the excretory role of the skin. Regulating body temperature, for instance, is largely managed through perspiration and blood flow, but it is not directly related to the removal of waste. Improving tactile sensation is primarily due to sensory receptors within the skin, and facilitating the absorption of nutrients is more related to the skin's barrier function rather than excretion. Thus, the clear focus on waste removal underscores why the correct choice is centered on this particular function.