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Sometimes the liver alters a substance to something that will affect another organ, e.g. beta-
naphthylamine (a toxic substance in rubber fumes) is converted by the liver into a substance
that can cause cancer of the bladder. The liver also maintains the blood in a clean and efficient
state.
The main function of the kidneys is to regulate the quantity of water in the body.
They also maintain a constant balancing of the various salts and electrolytes essential for the
health of the body and filter out those that are either harmful or non-essential.
Unwanted water and dissolved substances are passed to the bladder and then leave the body.
Urinary System
The Skin
The skin is the largest organ of the body and its function is to provide a barrier to protect the
body against the environment and to exert a degree of body temperature control.
There are two main layers of the skin, the dermis, and the epidermis.
Dermis
The dermis contains blood vessels, lymph vessels, sensory nerve endings, sweat glands and
ducts, hair roots and follicles and sebaceous glands, which secrete an oily substance, called
ENSIGN| Unit IG2 – Element 7 – Chemical and Biological 10
Agents
