Metabolic function of the skin Flashcards
What process begins when sunlight bombards the skin?
Modified cholesterol molecules convert to vitamin D precursor. This gets transported by the blood to other areas of the body to be converted into vitamin D.
What does the chemical conversions of the epidermis support?
The chemical conversions of the epidermis supplement the metabolic functions of the liver.
How much of the body’s blood volume does the dermal vascular supply hold?
The dermal vascular supply holds about 5% of body’s entire blood volume.
When muscles in use need more blood supply what occurs?
The nervous system constricts blood vessels into circulation.
What does excretion eliminate?
Excretion is responsible for eliminating nitrogen-containing wastes such as urea, ammonia, and uric acid. Some through urine others through profuse sweat.
What is skin cancer an example of?
Skin cancer is the loss of homeostasis in the body organ cells. It is caused when UV radiation disables tumor suppressor genes.
What kind of damage does exposure to UV radiation cause?
UV radiation causes damage to the DNA base. The body responds to this by fusing adjacent pairs.QH
What are lesions?
Lesions or dimers are the incorrectly fused pairs of DNA.
What are the three major types of cancer?
Basal cell carcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma, & Melanoma.
What is basal cell carcinoma?
Basal cell carcinoma is the least harmful and most common form of cancer. It is caused by the breakdown of the cell wall, this invades the dermis and subcutaneous tissues.
What does the onset of basal cell carcinoma look like?
A nodule grows from the breakage which is dome shaped at first. This then forms an ulcer with a pear shaped center and a beaded edge.
What is squamous cell carcinoma?
Squamous cell carcinoma is caused by the keratinocyte from the stratum spinosum.
What does the onset of squamous cell carcinoma look like?
Squamous cell carcinoma creates a small discolored papule on the scalp, ears, hands, and lower lip. It grows rapidly and metastasizes.
What is melanoma?
Melanoma is the least common and most fatal form of cancer. Its caused by the mutation of melanocytes.
What does the onset of melanoma look like?
Melanoma appears as a brown patch which spreads and turns black at random although its usually found around a preexisting mole.
