Functions of the Skin

Question 1

what are the 6 functions of the skin

Answer 1

metabolism and detox 
barrier
thermoregulation 
communication 
sensory 
immune defence

Question 2

what is the skin a barrier to

Answer 2

friction/metabolic trauma
UV radiation
chemicals
pathogens

Question 3

what does the skin metabolise

Answer 3

vitamin D

thyroid hormone

Question 4

describe vitamin D metabolism

Answer 4

7-dehydrocholesterol is converted to Vit D3 by UVB

Question 5

describe thyroid metabolism

Answer 5

thyroxine (T4) -> triiodothyronine (T3)

occurs in skin

Question 6

what happens in thermoregulation to change body temperature

Answer 6

behavioural changes

control sweating, shivering and blood supply

Question 7

what cells are involved in immune defences

Answer 7

Langerhan’s cells and T cells

Question 8

what is involved in communication

Answer 8

visual, odour, sociosexual

Question 9

what happens in failure of the barrier function

Answer 9

fluid loss -> dehydration
protein loss -> hypoalbuminaemia
infection

Question 10

what happens in failure of the thermoregulation function

Answer 10

heat loss -> hypothermia

Question 11

what happens in failure of the immune function

Answer 11

spread of infection

Question 12

what happens in failure of the metabolic function

Answer 12

disordered thyroxine metabolism

Question 13

what happens in failure of the communication function

Answer 13

inability to display health - stigma