special senses Flashcards
what is the largest sensory organ?
skin
what is the purpose of skin?
- covers and protects against damage from water, injury, microbes, thermoregulation
- protects against excessive loss of water and electrolytes
what is responsible for changes observed in skin and hair color?
melanin
what does pigment in skin protect against?
ultraviolet rays
when do the skin and coat color of animals change?
adapting to changes in intensity and duration of sunlight
define cutaneous
of skin
what are the two main layers of skin?
epidermis and dermis
what type of cell makes up the epidermis?
keratinocytes
how do keratinocytes form the keratin layer?
on the basal layer they multiply and differentiate to lose their nuclei
where is the dermis located?
below the epidermis
what makes up the epidermis?
fibrous and elastic tissue responsible for providing flexibility and stength
where are sweat glands, sebaceous glands, hair follicles, and nerve endings found?
dermis
what is the purpose of blood vessels in the dermis?
- provide nutrition to skin
- maintaining body temperature
- nerve endings detect pressure, pain, heat/cold
what separates the epidermis from the dermis?
basement membrane
what is the function of the basement membrane?
regulating back and forth passage of molecules between epidermis and dermis
what is the purpose of the layer of fat below the dermis?
provides insulation from varying temperatures and stores energy
The skin is enriched by ______________
sensory innervation
which type of hair provides the coat of the skin with a smooth appearance?
guard
what is the outermost “scaly” layer of hair called?
cuticle
what muscle attaches the proximal end of the follicle to the dermal papillae?
erector pili
what causes the erection of hair (goose bumps/hackles)?
involuntary contraction of erector pili
when do dogs have seasonal shedding?
spring and fall
what type of hair provides a soft undercoat?
wool hair
what is the function of wool hair?
insulation