integumentary system
2006-08-04 21:09:52 · 10 answers · asked by jenny 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Your skin begins to swell because of its semi permeable membrane. When you sit in the water for so long, the water begins to soak into your skin. Why? because of osmosis. Since the concentration of water is lower outside the skin, it is naturally drawn inward by means of equilibrium. If you sat in water for two weeks, you'd get so soggy your skin would fall off.
2006-08-04 21:13:47 · answer #1 · answered by Phillip R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The body by nature is "salty" for lack of a better term. Compared to fresh water there are less water molecules Water goes from an area of high conc to low conc. Since the skin is "salty" water will be absorbed into it causing swelling.
2006-08-04 21:16:16 · answer #2 · answered by Jackal 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Skin is sensitive and permeable !
What happens is that our body fluid contains more mineral - so the water from out side flows in. Just like you putting a sea fish in to mineral water. This causes us to feel that we are heavier than we were before we went for the dip.
The sea - the same thing happens - but reverse - we loose water to the sea - but you still will feel heavy when you come out - but that is not because your body has water inside, but the heavy salt you have out side your skin by dipping !
2006-08-04 21:30:32 · answer #3 · answered by R G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everything wants to be in equilibrium. Since the water on the inside of your epidermis has more solute than the outside the fresh water passes in the membrane to make the solutions more equal.
2006-08-04 21:14:43 · answer #4 · answered by alwaysmoose 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sexual arousal causes a swelling at the mid area in some human life forms. Is this the swelling you are talking about?
2006-08-04 21:17:26 · answer #5 · answered by blind_chameleon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
rather, all your epidermis has absorbed the comparable quantity of water. that's purely that with the aid of fact the exterior on your arms and feet is thinner, there is far less section to soak up the water, and so the exterior gets a wrinkled look.
2016-10-01 12:09:22 · answer #6 · answered by damaris 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know, but if I had to guess, the cells absorb the water causing them to swell.
2006-08-04 21:14:21 · answer #7 · answered by DL 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my guess would be that the level of bacteria is higher in fresh water than in salt...or that there is too much algae and its causing a reaction...or pollution...
2006-08-04 21:14:21 · answer #8 · answered by acidpluto 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
due to bleaching action of chlorine prsent in swimming pool.chlorine is no.1 bleaching agent.as our skin is soft it bleaches.even sun rays should also to be taken int account
2006-08-04 21:32:18 · answer #9 · answered by DIMPA 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because your skin has a saturation point, and it can only hold so much water.
2006-08-04 21:13:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋