Integumentary system

Question 1

what is the integumentary composed of?

Answer 1

The skin and its appenadages (including hair, scales, feathers, hooves and. nails)

Question 2

examples of functions of the integumentary system

Answer 2

-protection
-sensation
-secretion
-absorption
-excretion
-cleaning
-reduces friction
-dehydration
-ultraviolet light

Question 3

What are the three basic layers of skin

Answer 3

hypodermis
dermis
epidermis

Question 4

function of the hypodermis (skin)

Answer 4

the deepest layer and its responsible for making new skin cells

Question 5

function of the dermis (skin)

Answer 5

the middle layer of maturing cells

Question 6

function of the epidermis (skin)

Answer 6

the outer most, superficial skin layer and the only one of the skin layers that sheds, or sloughs off, dead cells

Question 7

functions of sebaceous glands

Answer 7

secretes an oily or waxy matter (sebum) to lubricate and waterproof the skin and hair of mammals

Question 8

function of the sudoriferous (sweat) gland

Answer 8

secrete sweat to help with thermoregualtion.
In the ear there are ceruminous glands which secrete ear wax which protect the ear canal against physical damage and pathogens

Question 9

function of the hair follicles

Answer 9

produce hair that aids in thermoregulation

Question 10

function of blood vessels within the skin

Answer 10

nourish the cells and remove waste products

Question 11

touch receptor -mechanoreceptors

Answer 11

-vibration and pressure (touch)
-Meissners corpuscles (light touch)
-Pacinian corpuscles (pressure)

Question 12

Nociceptors -mechanoreceptors

Answer 12

-pain
-free nerve endings

Question 13

Thermoreceptors -mechanoreceptors

Answer 13

-temperature
-vasodilation/constriction of blood vessels
-sweating

Question 14

Define alpha keratins

Answer 14

found in all vertebrae and are relatively flexible and make up much of the mammalian skin, hair and nails

Question 15

Define downy hair

Answer 15

soft, kinked and dense which lie close to the skin. this makes the undercoat which is essential for insulation.

Question 16

define guard hair

Answer 16

long, thick, and coarse which makes the top of the coat. it is important as it protects the underlying skin and it also influences the animals appearance

Question 17

how are nails formed

Answer 17

formed from a matrix at the top of the dermis - as the cells grow from the matrix the older cells are pushed out.

Question 18

what are beta-keratins

Answer 18

unique reptiles and birds as they tend to be tougher and less flexible, the function is to prevent desiccation and for waterproofing

Question 19

structure of the feathers

Answer 19

-consist of central hollow shaft that then becomes the rachis
-barbs branch from the rachis forming a flattened surface (vane)
-the barbs possess further branches called barbules
-these contain structure like hooks that attach to one another reinforcing the structure of the vane

Question 20

feathers divide into seven broad categories:

Answer 20

wing feathers (regimes)
tail feathers (rectrices)
contour feathers
semi plume
down
filo plume
bristle

Question 21

function of wing feathers

Answer 21

specialised for flight

Question 22

function of tail feathers

Answer 22

arranged in a fan shape, support precision steering in flight

Question 23

function of contour feathers

Answer 23

cover the bird body, contour feathers can also help the bird show off or stay camouflaged

Question 24

function of the semi plume feathers

Answer 24

hidden beneath other feathers on the body, semi plumes create fluffy insulation

Question 25

function of down feathers

Answer 25

relatively short, positioned closest to the body where they trap body heat

Question 26

function of filo plume feathers

Answer 26

short simple feathers, function like mammals whiskers to sense the position of the contour feathers

Question 27

function of the bristle feathers

Answer 27

simplest feathers, found on the head, bristles may protect the birds eyes and face