Integumentary System PDF

Name: ________________________ 38 Curriculum Connection B2.1, B2.2 What is the Integumentary System? The integumentary system is the external covering of the body, including the skin, hair, nails, and sweat glands. It is responsible for excreting wastes and regulating the temperature of our bodies....

Name: ________________________ 38 Curriculum Connection B2.1, B2.2 What is the Integumentary System? The integumentary system is the external covering of the body, including the skin, hair, nails, and sweat glands. It is responsible for excreting wastes and regulating the temperature of our bodies. Our integumentary system also has sensory receptors throughout the system to allow us to sense pain, pressure, and temperature. Protection One of the basic functions of the skin is to protect our bodies. The skin around our body is on average 2mm thick. The soles of our feet have a much thicker layer of skin than our eyelids because our feet need more protection as they are constantly in contact with rough and hard surfaces. The skin keeps bad stuff out of our bodies, like germs and dirt that can cause infection. Sense of Touch The skin has senses that allow us to interact with our environment. If we touch something hot, these senses tell our brain to move our bodies. Some parts of our skin have more sensory receptors than others. Our hands, feet, and lips have more receptors than our arms and legs. Temperature Control The skin regulates the temperature of our bodies through sweat. When we get too hot, our skin sweats, which cools us down. It can also widen the skin’s blood vessels to get more blood near the skin where it can cool off. When we get too cold, our body can narrow blood vessels to help warm us up. © Super Simple Sheets supersimplesheets.com