Structure and Function of Skin 2

Question 1

How many epidermal cells are keratinocytes?

Answer 1

95%

Question 2

What cells other than keratinocytes are present in the epidermis?

Answer 2

Melanocytes, Langerhans, Merkel cells (basal)

Question 3

What are melanocytes?

Answer 3

Pigment producing dendritic cells

Question 4

What do melanosomes do?

Answer 4

Convert tyrosine into melanin pigment and form a protective cap over nucleus in basal cells

Question 5

What are the 2 types of melanin pigment? What colour are they?

Answer 5

Euromelanin- brown/black

Phaeomelanin- red/yellow

Question 6

Why is phototherapy used to treat vitiligo?

Answer 6

Blocks immune cells so they stop attacking melanocytes

Question 7

What is Nelson’s Syndrome

Answer 7

Too much melanin from excessively produced melanin stimulating hormone

Question 8

When does hair start getting pigmentation from melanocytes?

Answer 8

Above dermal papilla

Question 9

Name the 3 stages of hair growth and what their main role is

Answer 9

Anagen- growing
Catagen- Involuting
Telogen- Resting/ Shedding

Question 10

Average growth of a nail per day

Answer 10

0.1mm