Epidermis

Question 1

What are the functions of the skin?

Answer 1

Protection
-from water, air, infection, chemicals, UV radiation

Sensations
-like pressure, heat, cold, pain

Excretion
-of waste through sweat

Production
-of vitamin D

Question 2

What layer of the skin is the epidermis?

Answer 2

Top layer of the skin, composed of stratified squamous epithelial tissue

Question 3

Stratum corneum

Answer 3

Top layer of epidermis

-20ish layers of dead cells.
-Thick keratinized cells that protect deeper layers.
-Regular shed from the body.
-Part you can touch

Question 4

Stratum lucidum

Answer 4

Only in thick skin of palms and feet. Thin layer of translucent cells

Question 5

Stratum granulosum

Answer 5

Cells begin to flatten and disintegrate. Contains keratin granules. Responsible for water-proofing skin

Question 6

Stratum spinosum

Answer 6

Several cells thick. Contains pre-keratin filaments

Question 7

Stratum basale

Answer 7

Bottom layer of epidermis.

-Constantly dividing and pushing up cells into the next layer.
-Cells undergo mitosis.
-Contains melanocytes

Question 8

What are melanocytes?

Answer 8

Spider-shaped epithelial cells found in the bottom 2 layers of epidermis.

They produce melanin, protecting the body from UV radiation which can cause skin cancer

Light and dark skinned people have the same amount of melanocytes but dark skinned produce more melanin

Question 9

What are the types of skin cancer

Answer 9

Melanoma

Basal cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma