Dérmedése

Dérmedése is a term that refers to the process of skin shedding or molting. This is a natural biological phenomenon that occurs in many organisms, particularly in animals with exoskeletons like arthropods, as well as in some vertebrates. The shedding of the outer layer of skin allows for growth and repair.

In arthropods, such as insects, spiders, and crustaceans, dérmedése, also known as ecdysis, is a critical stage in their life cycle. As they grow, their rigid exoskeleton becomes too small, necessitating a complete shedding. During this process, the arthropod secretes a new, soft exoskeleton underneath the old one. It then breaks free from the old cuticle and pumps hemolymph into the new one to expand it before it hardens. This makes the arthropod particularly vulnerable during and immediately after ecdysis.

In vertebrates, dérmedése is a more gradual process. Reptiles, for instance, shed their skin in patches or large pieces. This process, often called sloughing, helps to remove parasites and damaged skin, and is also a mechanism for growth. Birds also shed and replace their feathers, a process called molting, which is a form of dérmedése. Mammals, including humans, continuously shed dead skin cells, though this is not typically referred to as dérmedése in the same way as the more dramatic shedding seen in other animals. This continuous shedding is an integral part of skin renewal and maintaining its barrier function.