absorption
a. the ability of skin to allow small amounts of certain substances to
pass through openings in its surface
b. the release through the hair follicles of the sebum necessary to
lubricate the skin's surface and soften the hair
c. the removal of wastes from the body
d. the process in which the skin helps to keep body heat constant by
regulating perspiration
e. the process in which sensory nerve endings in the skin convey
messages to the brain and spinal cord
f. the ability of the skin to keep harmful bacteria and chemicals from
entering the body
Absorption refers to the ability of the skin to allow small amounts of certain substances to pass through openings in its surface.
To understand the concept of absorption, you can think of the skin as a barrier that protects the body from external factors. However, the skin is not completely impermeable and can absorb certain substances to a limited extent.
To answer this question, you would look for the most appropriate definition of absorption. By examining the provided options, it becomes evident that option (a) aligns with the explanation. Therefore, the correct answer is:
a. the ability of skin to allow small amounts of certain substances to pass through openings in its surface.