Which of the following statements best describes the role of skin in pathogen defense?

Skin acts as the first physical barrier that stops many germs from entering the body, covering the surface with a tough, dry layer that makes it hard for microbes to attach. It also produces oils and sweat that create an acidic environment, which many bacteria and fungi cannot survive in. The skin’s surface cells continuously shed and renew themselves, taking damaged or infected cells away before they can spread disease. Together, these features keep pathogens out and limit infection, much like a sturdy fence that blocks intruders while also spraying deterrent chemicals. For example, a cut on the skin allows a bacterium to slip through, but an intact skin layer would have stopped it entirely.