2006-10-03 04:30:08 · 5 answers · asked by peachcobbler 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
The skin is a tough layer of cells that does not absorb water as easily as the living cells it protects. If a body is left in the water for too long (days, or weeks), it will bloat.
2006-10-03 05:04:38 · answer #1 · answered by borscht 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, we do, a little bit - our fingers prune up if we stay in water too long, and eventually your skin cells will start to rupture from osmotic pressure if they are in water too long. But the short answer is, skin has limited permeability - water will diffuse in, but it's not an instantaneous process, and the more it equilibriates, the slower it becomes. Since you have a considerable apparatus devoted to maintaining osmotic balance in your body, the rest of your body will hardly notice; your skin, however, will react very badly. David Blaine's recent stunt, where he immersed himself in a sphere of water for a week, resulted in his skin peeling away incredibly painfully.
2006-10-03 12:00:34 · answer #2 · answered by astazangasta 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Our skin cells are specifically designed with tight seals at the junctures of the cells to prevent this from happening.
2006-10-03 11:32:50 · answer #3 · answered by Wally M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Come on! our skin's not permeable. i can imagine what it'd be like if it was..DISGUSTING.
2006-10-03 11:42:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
we are lucky?
2006-10-03 11:32:54 · answer #5 · answered by darkangel1111 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋