Final answer:
The epidermis is the layer of skin that provides protection against bacteria, chemical, and mechanical injuries. It is mechanically tough, resistant to bacterial enzymes, and continually sheds dead cells to maintain a barrier against pathogens.
Step-by-step explanation:
The layer of the skin that provides protection against bacteria, as well as chemical and mechanical injuries, is the epidermis. The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin and consists of cells packed with keratin, making it mechanically tough and resistant to bacterial enzymes.
The fatty acids on the skin's surface create an environment that inhibits microbial growth. Additionally, the dead cells of the epidermis are continually shed and replaced, providing a new barrier against pathogens.
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