In zoology, the epidermis is an epithelium (sheet of cells) that covers the body of a eumetazoan (animal more complex than a sponge). Eumetazoa have a cavity lined with a similar epithelium, the gastrodermis, which forms a boundary with the epidermis at the mouth.
Sponges have no epithelium, and therefore no epidermis or gastrodermis. The epidermis of a more complex invertebrate is just one layer deep, and may be protected by a non-cellular cuticle. The epidermis of a higher vertebrate has many layers, and the outer layers are reinforced with keratin and then die.
References
- Ruppert, E.E.; Fox, R.S. & Barnes, R.D. (2004). "Introduction to Metazoa". Invertebrate Zoology (7 ed.). Brooks / Cole. pp. 59–60. ISBN 0-03-025982-7.
- Ruppert, E.E.; Fox, R.S. & Barnes, R.D. (2004). "Introduction to Eumetazoa". Invertebrate Zoology (7 ed.). Brooks / Cole. pp. 99–103. ISBN 0-03-025982-7.
- Spearman, R.I.C (1973). "Function Adaptation in the Invertebrate Integument". The integument: a textbook of skin biology. Biological structure and function. Vol. 3. CUP Archive. pp. 15–17. ISBN 0-521-20048-2. Retrieved 21 Mar 2010.
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In zoology the epidermis is an epithelium sheet of cells that covers the body of a eumetazoan animal more complex than a sponge Eumetazoa have a cavity lined with a similar epithelium the gastrodermis which forms a boundary with the epidermis at the mouth Sponges have no epithelium and therefore no epidermis or gastrodermis The epidermis of a more complex invertebrate is just one layer deep and may be protected by a non cellular cuticle The epidermis of a higher vertebrate has many layers and the outer layers are reinforced with keratin and then die ReferencesRuppert E E Fox R S amp Barnes R D 2004 Introduction to Metazoa Invertebrate Zoology 7 ed Brooks Cole pp 59 60 ISBN 0 03 025982 7 Ruppert E E Fox R S amp Barnes R D 2004 Introduction to Eumetazoa Invertebrate Zoology 7 ed Brooks Cole pp 99 103 ISBN 0 03 025982 7 Spearman R I C 1973 Function Adaptation in the Invertebrate Integument The integument a textbook of skin biology Biological structure and function Vol 3 CUP Archive pp 15 17 ISBN 0 521 20048 2 Retrieved 21 Mar 2010 This animal anatomy related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte
