Integumentary System

Question 1

What are the functions of the skin?

Answer 1

• protection
• vitamin D production
• temperature regulation
• water retention
• sensation
• non verbal communication

Question 2

What are the two layers of the skin?

Answer 2

The outer later is the epidermis and the inner layer is the dermis

Question 3

What is the third layer that is technically not considered a part of the skin?

Answer 3

The hypodermis (subcutaneous layer), it is composed of areolar connective tissue and adipose connective tissue

Question 4

What is the function of the hypodermis?

Answer 4

aids in insulations and serves as an energy source

Question 5

What is the epidermis composed of?

Answer 5

stratified squamous epithelial tissue

Question 6

What is the dermis composed of?

Answer 6

dense areolar connective tissue

Question 7

What is keratin?

Answer 7

a tough waterproof protein

Question 8

What are melanocytes?

Answer 8

cells that produce a pigment called melanin, this pigment is responsible for skin colour variation and is determined genetically.

Question 9

What is the vitamin formed in the skin?

Answer 9

vitamin D, which is made when the skin is exposed to sun rays

Question 10

What is the dermis also known as?

Answer 10

the true skin

Question 11

The dermis contain many blood vessels, what do the vessels function to do?

Answer 11

• provide nourishment to itself and to the epidermis above it
• aid in regulating body temperature: when temp increases blood vessels dilate and permit loss of heat and when temp decreases they constrict and prevent heat loss

Question 12

What is papillae?

Answer 12

Elevations on the surface of the dermis that create ridges in the epidermis. These ridges help to anchor the epidermis to the dermis. Ridges of the papillae form fingerprints

Question 13

The dermis contains many nerve fibres, what does it contain sensory receptors for?

Answer 13

pressure, touch, temperature, and pain sensations that provide sensory information about our external environment

Question 14

What are the accessory organs found in the skin?

Answer 14

hair follicles
sebaceous glands
sweat glands
nails

Question 15

What is a hair follicle?

Answer 15

hair develops from hair follicles that are epidermal cells at the base of a tube like depression

Question 16

What does the hair shaft consist of?

Answer 16

keratinized epidermal cells

Question 17

What is the arrector pili?

Answer 17

a small muscle that is attached to each follicle, it reacts to fear and cold causing each hair to stand up resulting in goose bumps

Question 18

What are the two types of glands found in the skin?

Answer 18

sebaceous glands and sweat glands

sebaceous glands: are found in the dermis and lubricate the hair and skin by producing oily secretion called sebum

sweat glands: there are two kinds of sweat glands merocrine and apocrine.
the merocrine open through pores in the epidermis they function throughout life and mostly respond to elevated body temperatures. Most common on the forehead, palms and soles.
the apocrine open into hair follicles and most numerous in the axillary and pubic and begin to function at puberty

Question 19

What are the functions of nails?

Answer 19

They protect the underlying tissue, nails contain keratin which harden them for better protection