Final answer:
The functions of human skin include preventing water loss, serving as a barrier to pathogens, synthesizing vitamin D, blocking UV light, and regulating body temperature. Skin gathers environmental information and excretes waste in sweat. However, it does not absorb mineral reserves, water, or waste.
Step-by-step explanation:
The human skin performs multiple essential functions that are related to maintaining homeostasis in the body. Its main functions include preventing water loss, serving as a barrier to the entry of microorganisms, synthesizing vitamin D, blocking UV light, and helping to regulate body temperature. When the body overheats, the skin's sweat glands produce sweat, which cools the body as it evaporates. Special nerve endings allow the skin to gather information about the environment, sensing heat, pressure, cold, and pain. The skin also helps in excreting wastes through the sweat, and melanin provides protection against sunlight.
However, despite these numerous functions, absorbing mineral reserves, water, and waste are not functions typically attributed to the skin. These processes are generally associated with other systems in the body such as the digestive system and the kidneys. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is d. absorbing mineral reserves, water, and waste.