Skin Flashcards
What are the functions of the skin/epidermis?
Protection from pathogens, excretion of sweat, prevents water loss, temperature regulation, absorption of vitamin d and sense organ.
List in order the three layers of the skin:
Epidermis, dermis and hypodermis.
What is the function of the sebaceous glands?
Secretes sebum, an oily substance, which helps to keep the skin soft, supple and waterproof and inhibits the growth of bacteria.
What is the function of the nerve endings?
Detects various stimuli
What is the function of the hair and hair erector muscles?
Muscles contracts causing hairs to stand up right to trap heat or air close to the body.
What is the function of the arterioles and capillary networks?
Helps regulate the body temperature.
What is the function of the sweat glands?
Produces sweat by absrobing water, urea and salts which then passes up the sweat ducts and onto the surface of the skin.
What is a Secretion?
A useful substance released by cells for a purpose.
Functions of the malpighian layer:
Contains pigment called melanin which allows uv light from the sun to be absrobed, forms convolutions which forms fingerprints and protects the outside body from rough surfaces.
What is heat?
A form of energy measured in Joules.
What is Temperature?
Degree of hotness which is measured in Celcius using a thermometer.
What is the biological thermostat called?
The hypothalamus which is located in the brain.
What happens when the body is too hot?
Sweating and Vasodilation.
What happens when we sweat?
The evaporation of sweat cools down the body since it takes some heat with it as it evaporates.
What is vasodilation?
Capillaries near the surface of the skin enlarges or widens to allow a greater amount of blood flow.
What happens when the body is too cold?
Shivers, Vasoconstriction and goosebumps.
What is vasoconstriction?
Capillaries near the surface of the skin tightens or gets smaller to allow less blood flow.
What happens when the body shivers?
The muscles under the skin quickly contracts and relaxes so heat is released as respiration increases.
What happens when the body gets goosebumps?
Is created when hair erector muscles pull on hair follicles in an attempt to trap heat or air close to the body.
What is subcutaneous fat?
It acts as an insulin layer and is a poor conductor of heat. It holds heat within the body and the fat can serve as a source of nutrient to produce heat during respiration;
What is the function of the subcutaneous fat?
Protects the body against heat loss in low environmental temperatures and against damage by acting as ‘padding’.
What is heat exhaustion?
When the body becomes extremely hot from being in the sun or exercising excessively.
What is Hypothermia?
When the body gets too cold.
What is Hyperthermia?
When your body overheats and can’t cool down.
