Review Sheet: Integumentary System ExamFill In The Blank Questions:1. The Primary Function Of The Integumentary System Is __________.2. The Layer Of The Skin Responsible For Producing New Skin Cells Is The __________.3. The Outermost Layer Of Skin Is
Overview of the Integumentary System
The integumentary system is a complex network of organs and tissues that play a vital role in protecting the body from external damage. It is the body's first line of defense against pathogens, temperature extremes, and physical trauma. The primary function of the integumentary system is to provide a barrier between the internal environment and the external environment. This system consists of the skin, hair, nails, and associated glands.
Structure of the Skin
The skin is the largest organ of the integumentary system and is composed of multiple layers. The layer of the skin responsible for producing new skin cells is the stratum germinativum, also known as the stratum basale. This layer is located at the base of the epidermis and is responsible for producing new skin cells through a process called mitosis. The new skin cells then migrate upwards towards the surface of the skin, where they eventually die and become part of the stratum corneum.
Layers of the Skin
The skin is composed of several layers, each with distinct functions. The outermost layer of skin is the stratum corneum. This layer is composed of dead skin cells that have been pushed to the surface of the skin by the new skin cells produced in the stratum germinativum. The stratum corneum provides a barrier against water loss and protects the body from external pathogens.
Functions of the Integumentary System
The integumentary system performs several important functions, including:
- Protecting the body from external damage: The integumentary system provides a barrier against physical trauma, temperature extremes, and pathogens.
- Regulating body temperature: The skin helps to regulate body temperature through the process of sweating and vasoconstriction.
- Producing vitamin D: The skin produces vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet light from the sun.
- Sensing touch and pressure: The skin contains sensory receptors that allow us to feel touch and pressure.
- Regulating water loss: The skin helps to regulate water loss through the process of sweating.
Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
- The primary function of the integumentary system is to provide a barrier between the internal environment and the external environment.
- The layer of the skin responsible for producing new skin cells is the stratum germinativum, also known as the stratum basale.
- The outermost layer of skin is the stratum corneum.
- The integumentary system helps to regulate body temperature through the process of sweating and vasoconstriction.
- The skin produces vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet light from the sun.
- The integumentary system helps to regulate water loss through the process of sweating.
- The skin contains sensory receptors that allow us to feel touch and pressure.
- The integumentary system provides a barrier against physical trauma, temperature extremes, and pathogens.
Conclusion
The integumentary system is a complex network of organs and tissues that play a vital role in protecting the body from external damage. The skin is the largest organ of the integumentary system and is composed of multiple layers, each with distinct functions. The integumentary system performs several important functions, including protecting the body from external damage, regulating body temperature, producing vitamin D, sensing touch and pressure, and regulating water loss. Understanding the structure and function of the integumentary system is essential for maintaining good health and preventing diseases.
Key Terms
- Integumentary system: a complex network of organs and tissues that play a vital role in protecting the body from external damage.
- Skin: the largest organ of the integumentary system, composed of multiple layers.
- Stratum germinativum: the layer of the skin responsible for producing new skin cells.
- Stratum corneum: the outermost layer of skin, composed of dead skin cells.
- Vitamin D: a nutrient produced by the skin when exposed to ultraviolet light from the sun.
- Sensory receptors: specialized cells in the skin that allow us to feel touch and pressure.
Review Questions
- What is the primary function of the integumentary system?
- What is the layer of the skin responsible for producing new skin cells?
- What is the outermost layer of skin?
- How does the integumentary system help to regulate body temperature?
- What is produced by the skin when exposed to ultraviolet light from the sun?
- How does the integumentary system help to regulate water loss?
- What are the sensory receptors in the skin responsible for?
- What does the integumentary system provide a barrier against?
Answers
- The primary function of the integumentary system is to provide a barrier between the internal environment and the external environment.
- The layer of the skin responsible for producing new skin cells is the stratum germinativum, also known as the stratum basale.
- The outermost layer of skin is the stratum corneum.
- The integumentary system helps to regulate body temperature through the process of sweating and vasoconstriction.
- The skin produces vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet light from the sun.
- The integumentary system helps to regulate water loss through the process of sweating.
- The skin contains sensory receptors that allow us to feel touch and pressure.
- The integumentary system provides a barrier against physical trauma, temperature extremes, and pathogens.
Q1: What is the primary function of the integumentary system?
A1: The primary function of the integumentary system is to provide a barrier between the internal environment and the external environment. This includes protecting the body from external damage, regulating body temperature, producing vitamin D, sensing touch and pressure, and regulating water loss.
Q2: What is the layer of the skin responsible for producing new skin cells?
A2: The layer of the skin responsible for producing new skin cells is the stratum germinativum, also known as the stratum basale. This layer is located at the base of the epidermis and is responsible for producing new skin cells through a process called mitosis.
Q3: What is the outermost layer of skin?
A3: The outermost layer of skin is the stratum corneum. This layer is composed of dead skin cells that have been pushed to the surface of the skin by the new skin cells produced in the stratum germinativum.
Q4: How does the integumentary system help to regulate body temperature?
A4: The integumentary system helps to regulate body temperature through the process of sweating and vasoconstriction. When the body temperature rises, the sweat glands produce sweat, which helps to cool the body. When the body temperature drops, the blood vessels constrict, reducing blood flow to the skin and conserving heat.
Q5: What is produced by the skin when exposed to ultraviolet light from the sun?
A5: The skin produces vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet light from the sun. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in maintaining strong bones and immune function.
Q6: How does the integumentary system help to regulate water loss?
A6: The integumentary system helps to regulate water loss through the process of sweating. When the body temperature rises, the sweat glands produce sweat, which helps to cool the body and regulate water loss.
Q7: What are the sensory receptors in the skin responsible for?
A7: The sensory receptors in the skin are responsible for sensing touch and pressure. These receptors allow us to feel sensations such as pressure, temperature, and texture.
Q8: What does the integumentary system provide a barrier against?
A8: The integumentary system provides a barrier against physical trauma, temperature extremes, and pathogens. This includes protecting the body from external damage, regulating body temperature, and preventing the entry of pathogens into the body.
Q9: What is the role of the hair in the integumentary system?
A9: The hair plays a crucial role in the integumentary system by providing additional protection against external damage. The hair helps to prevent the entry of pathogens into the body and provides additional insulation against temperature extremes.
Q10: What is the role of the nails in the integumentary system?
A10: The nails play a crucial role in the integumentary system by providing additional protection against external damage. The nails help to prevent the entry of pathogens into the body and provide additional insulation against temperature extremes.
Q11: What is the difference between the epidermis and the dermis?
A11: The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin, while the dermis is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis. The epidermis is composed of dead skin cells, while the dermis is composed of living skin cells.
Q12: What is the function of the sebaceous glands in the integumentary system?
A12: The sebaceous glands produce sebum, an oily substance that helps to lubricate the skin and hair. The sebaceous glands are located in the dermis and are responsible for producing sebum in response to hormonal changes.
Q13: What is the function of the apocrine glands in the integumentary system?
A13: The apocrine glands produce a type of sweat that is high in protein and fat. The apocrine glands are located in the armpits and groin area and are responsible for producing sweat in response to emotional stimuli.
Q14: What is the function of the eccrine glands in the integumentary system?
A14: The eccrine glands produce a type of sweat that is high in water and electrolytes. The eccrine glands are located throughout the body and are responsible for producing sweat in response to heat and humidity.
Q15: What is the difference between the stratum corneum and the stratum lucidum?
A15: The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the skin, while the stratum lucidum is a thin layer of skin cells located beneath the stratum corneum. The stratum lucidum is composed of dead skin cells that are filled with keratin, a protein that helps to provide additional protection against external damage.
Q16: What is the function of the hair follicles in the integumentary system?
A16: The hair follicles produce hair, which provides additional protection against external damage. The hair follicles are located in the dermis and are responsible for producing hair in response to hormonal changes.
Q17: What is the function of the nails in the integumentary system?
A17: The nails provide additional protection against external damage and help to prevent the entry of pathogens into the body. The nails are composed of keratin, a protein that helps to provide additional strength and durability.
Q18: What is the difference between the epidermis and the dermis?
A18: The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin, while the dermis is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis. The epidermis is composed of dead skin cells, while the dermis is composed of living skin cells.
Q19: What is the function of the sebaceous glands in the integumentary system?
A19: The sebaceous glands produce sebum, an oily substance that helps to lubricate the skin and hair. The sebaceous glands are located in the dermis and are responsible for producing sebum in response to hormonal changes.
Q20: What is the function of the apocrine glands in the integumentary system?
A20: The apocrine glands produce a type of sweat that is high in protein and fat. The apocrine glands are located in the armpits and groin area and are responsible for producing sweat in response to emotional stimuli.
Q21: What is the function of the eccrine glands in the integumentary system?
A21: The eccrine glands produce a type of sweat that is high in water and electrolytes. The eccrine glands are located throughout the body and are responsible for producing sweat in response to heat and humidity.
Q22: What is the difference between the stratum corneum and the stratum lucidum?
A22: The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the skin, while the stratum lucidum is a thin layer of skin cells located beneath the stratum corneum. The stratum lucidum is composed of dead skin cells that are filled with keratin, a protein that helps to provide additional protection against external damage.
Q23: What is the function of the hair follicles in the integumentary system?
A23: The hair follicles produce hair, which provides additional protection against external damage. The hair follicles are located in the dermis and are responsible for producing hair in response to hormonal changes.
Q24: What is the function of the nails in the integumentary system?
A24: The nails provide additional protection against external damage and help to prevent the entry of pathogens into the body. The nails are composed of keratin, a protein that helps to provide additional strength and durability.
Q25: What is the difference between the epidermis and the dermis?
A25: The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin, while the dermis is the layer of skin beneath the epidermis. The epidermis is composed of dead skin cells, while the dermis is composed of living skin cells.
Q26: What is the function of the sebaceous glands in the integumentary system?
A26: The sebaceous glands produce sebum, an oily substance that helps to lubricate the skin and hair. The sebaceous glands are located in the dermis and are responsible for producing sebum in response to hormonal changes.
Q27: What is the function of the apocrine glands in the integumentary system?
A27: The apocrine glands produce a type of sweat that is high in protein and fat. The apocrine glands are located in the armpits and groin area and are responsible for producing sweat in response to emotional stimuli.
Q28: What is the function of the eccrine glands in the integumentary system?
A28: The eccrine glands produce a type of sweat that is high in water and electrolytes. The eccrine glands are located throughout the body and are responsible for producing sweat in response to heat and humidity.
Q29: What is the difference between the stratum corneum and the stratum lucidum?
A29: The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the skin, while the stratum lucidum is a thin layer of skin cells located beneath the stratum corneum. The stratum lucidum is composed of dead skin cells that are filled with keratin, a protein that helps to provide additional protection against external damage.
Q30: What is the function of the hair follicles in the integumentary system?
A30: The hair follicles produce hair, which provides additional protection against external damage. The hair follicles are located in the dermis and are responsible for producing hair in response to hormonal changes.
Q31: What is the function of the nails in the integumentary system?
A31: The nails