Final answer:
The skin acts as a sense organ and contains specialized sensory nerve structures that detect touch, temperature, and pain. Itch and pain are not the same thing, as itch is caused by specific itch receptors and pain is the result of tissue damage or intense stimulation of pain receptors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The skin acts as a sense organ because it contains specialized sensory nerve structures that detect touch, surface temperature, and pain. There are different types of receptors in the skin, including the Meissner corpuscle that responds to light touch and the Pacinian corpuscle that responds to vibration. While itch and pain are both sensations that can be felt, they are not the same thing. Itch is typically caused by the activation of specific itch receptors, while pain is the result of tissue damage or intense stimulation of pain receptors.