Chapter 5 – Integumentary System – Study Guide
I. Structure of the skin – Describe its components
A. Epidermis: Upper first layer of skin.
1. Name and describe the types of cells found in the epidermis
a. keratinocytes: The most numerous of Epidermal cells. Produces Keratin
b. melanocytes: A pigmented cell, located between of the deepest layer of the
epidermis.
c. Langerhan’s cells: Funcitons as antigen-presenting during an immune response.
2. Name and describe the layers of the epidermis
a. Stratumbasale: Deepest layer of epidermis, composed of a single row of cuboidal or
columnar keratinocytes.
b. Stratumspinosum: Arranged in 8-10 layers of many sided keratinocytes fitting
closely together.
c. Stratumgranulosum: Middle of epidermis, consists of three to five layers of flattened
keratinocytes undergoing apoptosis.
d. Stratumlucidum: Only present in the thick skin of area such as fingertips, palms, and
soles. Consists of 3-5 layers of flattened clear, dead keratinocytes that contains large amount
of keratin and thickened plasma membranes.
e. Stratumcorneum: 25-30 layers of flattened dead keratinocytes.
3. Describe the difference between thick and thin skin.
4. What is a callus?: Constant exposure of skin to friction.
B. Dermis: The seconded deeper part of the skin. Composed of strong connective tissue
containing collagen and elastic fiber.
1. Describe the difference between the papillary and reticular layers: Retcular layer is
thicker than papillary layer. It composed of irregular dense connective and therefore has more
fibers and fewer cells than papillary layer.
2. Describe the difference between elasticity and extensibility: extensibility doesn't return
to its original shape and elastic returns to its original shape
3. What is a meisners corpuscle: A sensory receptor for touch. Found in dermal papillae.
4. What is a lamellated corpuscle: Oval shaped pressure receptor located in the dermis.
5. Describe how the following effect skin color.
a. Melanin: Yellow-red or brown-black pigment that contributes to skin color and
absorbs damaging ultraviolet light.
b. Hemoglobin: Turns skin red, oxygen carrying pigments in red blood cells.
c. Carotene: Can turn skin orange with high amounts of carotene-rich foods.
d. What is albinism: Inherited inability to produce melanin (Albino)
C. Name the accessory structures of the skin.
1. Hair follicle: External and internal root sheath.
a. Arrectorpili muscle: Muscle that erects hair follicle.
b. Sebaceous oil gland: Connected to hair follicle. Secreting portion lies in the dermis
and usually opens into the neck portion of hair follicle.
2. Skin glands
a. Sebaceous oil gland: Are microscopic glands in the skin that secrete an oily/waxy matter,
called sebum, to lubricate the skin and hair of mammals
b. Suderiferous glands – What is sebum and its functions. (Table 5.3)
a. Eccrine sweat gland – Surface of epidermis, secretion is amino acids, water, ions,
uric acid, glucose and lactic acid. Regulation of body temp and waste removal.
b. Apocrine sweat gland – Mostly in the subcutaneous layer, flows through hair
follicle, secretion is amino acids, water, ions, uric acid, glucose and lactic acid, along with
lipids and proteins. Stimulated during emotional stress and sexual excitement.
c. Ceruminous gland – In the subcutaneous layer, produces waxy lubricating
secretions.
II. Functions of the skin – describe them and how they are carried out
A. Thermoregulation: The homeostatic regulation of body temp, During this sweat first
forms on the forehead and scalp and then extend to the rest of body.
B. Blood reservoir: The dermis houses an extensive network of blood vessels that carry 8-
10% of the total blood flow, to do so, the skin acts as a blood reservoir.
C. Protection: Protects from microbes, abrasions, heat, and chemicals.
D. Cutaneous Sensations: Sensations that arise in the skin, including tactile sensations
such as touch, pressure, vibration and tickling.
E. Excretion and absorption: Excretion is the elimination of substances from the body,
absorption is the passage of materials from the external environment into the body cells.
F. Synthesis of vitamin D: Activation of a precursor molecule in the skin by ultraviolet rays
in sun light.
