7.2: Physiology of the Integumentary System

Question 1

What is the smallest unit of life?

Answer 1

Cells

Question 2

What do cells come together to form?

Answer 2

Tissues

Question 3

What are tissues comprised of?

Answer 3

Cells and matrix

Question 4

What is the matrix made up of?

Answer 4

• ground substance
• protein
• collagen fibers

Question 5

What needs to be repaired when the skin is damaged?

Answer 5

Both tissue and matrix

When the skin is damaged, both tissue and matrix need to be repaired.

Question 6

What is the first step in tissue repair?

Answer 6

Blood platelets accumulate in the area of damage

Question 7

What do blood platelets form during tissue repair?

Answer 7

A clot

Question 8

What do blood platelets secrete around the clot?

Answer 8

A mesh-like substance to prevent blood loss

Question 9

What do mast cells release during tissue damage?

Answer 9

Histamine

Question 10

What is histamine’s role in tissue repair?

Answer 10

Helps to dilate blood vessels and initiate a local inflammatory response

Question 11

What do macrophages do?

Answer 11

Engulf and destroy disease-causing pathogens

Question 12

What do fibroblasts help to secrete?

Answer 12

New collagen in the shape of the old tissue

Question 13

What occurs during the remodeling phase of wound healing?

Answer 13

Tissue matures and cells take on their original functions

Question 14

What is a scar?

Answer 14

An overgrowth of fibrous connective tissue that cannot be fully replaced by the original tissue

A scar forms if the wound is too deep in the tissue and some original function is lost.

Question 15

How are burns classified?

Answer 15

By the severity of the burn

Question 16

What characterizes first-degree burns?

Answer 16

• Damage only to the epidermis
• dry
• red
• painful without blistering

Question 17

What characterizes second-degree burns?

Answer 17

• Damage to the epidermis
• damage part of the dermis
• red
• blisters

Question 18

What characterizes third-degree burns?

Answer 18

• damage to the epidermis
• damage to entire dermis
• may extend subcutaneous layer
• appearing white or charred

Question 19

What characterizes fourth-degree burns?

Answer 19

Damage to the
- epidermis
- dermis
- hypodermis
- underlying tissue
- nerve endings

Question 20

How do burns heal?

Answer 20

In the same manner as other skin injuries

Burns heal in the same manner as other skin injuries.

Question 21

What is skin grafting?

Answer 21

A treatment where healthy skin is taken from a person’s own body and grafted on top of the damaged area

Question 22

What are the benefits of skin grafting?

Answer 22

Decreases recovery time and prevents infection

A skin graft may be necessary if the skin has been too severely damaged or if the burn covers a large surface area.