Unit 4 study guide
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of eccrine glands?

  • Regulating body temperature through sweat evaporation (correct)
  • Facilitating skin repair and regeneration
  • Secreting thicker sweat for body odor
  • Producing hormones that affect hair growth
  • What contributes to body odor related to apocrine glands?

  • Increased blood flow to the skin
  • Breakdown of sweat by bacteria (correct)
  • Hormones influencing sweat production
  • Evaporation of sweat from the skin
  • What happens to hair when the arrector pili muscle contracts?

  • Hair pigmentation increases
  • Hair follicles become inactive
  • Hair stands up (correct)
  • Hair growth is accelerated
  • Which part of the nail is visible and considered the lunula?

    <p>The white crescent shape at the nail base</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the skin help regulate body temperature?

    <p>Through thermoregulation via sweat and blood vessel adjustments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the melanocytes in the skin?

    <p>To produce melanin that determines skin color</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the skin help in temperature regulation?

    <p>Through vessel dilation and sweating</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which pigment contributes to the yellowish hue of the skin?

    <p>Carotene</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does UVB radiation play in human health?

    <p>It is critical for vitamin D synthesis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the outermost layer of the epidermis called?

    <p>Stratum corneum</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do sebaceous glands function within the skin?

    <p>By secreting an oily substance to lubricate skin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What triggers melanocytes to produce more melanin?

    <p>Intense UV radiation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where are melanocytes located in the skin?

    <p>In the base layer of the epidermis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Integumentary System Overview

    • The integumentary system consists of the skin, the body's largest organ.

    • Key functions of the skin include:

      • Protection against external dangers like UV radiation and pathogens.
      • Sensation through receptors for touch, temperature, and pain.
      • Temperature regulation through vessel dilation and sweat.
      • Excretion of waste through sweat.
      • Vitamin D synthesis, crucial for bone health.

    Skin Structure: Epidermis & Dermis

    • Epidermis: The thin outer layer, composed of stratified squamous epithelium.

      • The outermost layer is the stratum corneum, made of keratin and waterproof.
      • Contains melanocytes and keratinocytes.
    • Dermis: The thick inner layer, primarily composed of connective tissue.

      • Provides support and elasticity to the skin.

    Skin Color: Pigmentation

    • Melanin: Pigment ranging from yellow to dark brown.

      • Melanocytes in the base layer of the epidermis produce melanin granules which are packaged into melanosomes.
      • These melanosomes are released and transferred into skin epithelial cells (keratinocytes), giving them color.
    • Two Types of Melanin:

      • Eumelanin: Brown-black. More eumelanin results in darker skin.
      • Pheomelanin: Red-yellow. More abundant in people with lighter skin.
    • Carotene: Yellowish pigment found in the stratum corneum and fatty layer under the skin.

      • Carotene and melanin together contribute to a yellowish hue.

    Skin Color and UV Radiation

    • Highly energetic UV radiation from the sun can cause cell damage, DNA mutations, and folate breakdown (essential for reproduction).

    • Melanin's Protective Role:

      • Melanin acts as a shield by forming a cap around a cell's nucleus, absorbing UV radiation.
      • UV radiation triggers melanocytes to produce more melanin as a defensive mechanism.
    • Geographic UV Intensity & Skin Color:

      • Stronger UV radiation is correlated with darker skin in different populations.
      • Humans don't have uniformly dark skin because UVB radiation is essential for vitamin D synthesis.
    • Vitamin D & Skin Color:

      • Vitamin D is crucial for calcium absorption, supporting bone health and a healthy immune system.
      • People in areas with weaker UV radiation have lighter skin (less melanin) to absorb enough UVB for vitamin D production.

    Skin Glands: Sebaceous & Sweat Glands

    • Sebaceous Glands: Secrete sebum, an oily substance that lubricates and protects the skin and hair.

      • These glands are particularly active during puberty due to hormonal changes and can contribute to acne.
    • Sweat Glands:

      • Eccrine Glands: Found throughout the body, primarily involved in temperature regulation by releasing sweat, which evaporates for cooling.
      • Apocrine Glands: Mainly located in the armpits and groin, secreting a thicker sweat that can lead to body odor when broken down by bacteria

    Other Integumentary System Components: Hair & Nails

    • Hair: Grows in hair follicles within the dermis.

      • Growth starts at the papilla (structure at the follicle base), influenced by hormones and blood flow to the papilla.
      • New cells are formed, pushing existing cells upward and filling them with keratin.
      • The arrector pili muscle causes hair to stand up when cold or stressed.
    • Nails: Formed from cells in the epidermis and composed of hard keratin.

      • Key structures include the lunula (visible white part at the nail base) and the nail root (hidden under the skin where growth begins).
    • Sensory Receptors: Various receptors in the skin allow us to experience temperature, touch, and pain.

    Skin Conditions and Homeostasis: Thermoregulation

    • The skin plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis by regulating body temperature.

    • Thermoregulation Mechanisms:

      • Vasodilation: Widening of blood vessels, helps release heat.
      • Vasoconstriction: Narrowing of blood vessels, helps conserve heat.
      • Sweat Glands: Assist in cooling through evaporation.

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    Description

    Explore the integumentary system, the body's largest organ, focusing on the skin's key functions such as protection, sensation, and temperature regulation. Learn about the structure of the epidermis and dermis, as well as the role of melanin in skin pigmentation.

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