Integumentary System I – Structure & Function

Question 1

What is the Epidermis?

Answer 1

Superficial, thinner
layer comprised of epithelial tissue

Question 2

What is the dermis?

Answer 2

Deeper layer comprised
of connective tissue

Question 3

What are the components of the integumentary system?

Answer 3

Skin, hair & sensory receptors
Nails
Oil and Sweat glands

Question 4

What is the largest organ in the body?

Answer 4

Skin

Question 5

On average, adults have how many metres of skin?

Answer 5

2 metres

Question 6

Skin contributes approximately how many kilos of total body weight?

Answer 6

Approx 5kg

Question 7

What is the average thickness of skin on a human body?

Answer 7

1-2mm

Question 8

What are epidermal ridges also known as?

Answer 8

Fingerprint, handprint, footprint

Question 9

What are striae more commonly known as?

Answer 9

Stretch marks

Question 10

Name the 3 skin pigmentations?

Answer 10

Melanin, Haemoglobin and Carotene

Question 11

What are the 2 types of melanin?

Answer 11

Pheomelanin (Yellow to Red)
Eumelanin (Brown to Black)

Question 12

Melanin absorbs UV radiation. True or False?

Answer 12

True

Question 13

What are freckles?

Answer 13

Accumulation of melanin patches, often due to uv radiation

Question 14

What are carotene rich foods?

Answer 14

Egg Yolks and Carrots

Question 15

What are functions of hair?

Answer 15

UV Protection
Thermoregulation
Light touch sensation

Question 16

What is the scientific name for the sweat glands?

Answer 16

Sudoriferous glands

Question 17

What is the scientific word for ear wax?

Answer 17

Cerumen

Question 18

What is the purpose of earwax?

Answer 18

Impedes entry of foreign bodies and waterproofing of the ear canal

Question 19

13. Name the 3 main components of a nail

Answer 19

Nail body
Free Edge
Nail root

Question 20

What are cells that produce collagen and elastin?

Answer 20

Fibroblasts

Question 21

What does reduced melanocytes cause?

Answer 21

Grey hair

Question 22

Why do we get hair loss?

Answer 22

Follicles stop producing hair

Question 23

What is the name for a normal mole?

Answer 23

Nevus

Question 24

What are some causes of skin cancer?

Answer 24

Skin type - Individuals with lighter skin who never tan and always burn at highest risk
Sun Exposure - Increased sun exposure increases cancer risk | UV exposure
Family History -Family history of cancer increases risk
Age - Aged individuals at higher risk due to longer total exposure to U
Immunology status - Immunosuppressed (weakened immune system) individuals at greater risk

Question 25

What are three common types of skin cancer?

Answer 25

Basal Cell Carcinomas (75% of skin cancers) Squamous cell Carcinomas (20% of skin cancers) Malignant Melanoma (2% of skin cancers)

Question 26

If a malignant melanoma goes undiagnosed, it can kill a person, how quickly?

Answer 26

Within months

Question 27

In a malignant melanoma, what happens in stage 3?

Answer 27

Disease spread to lymph nodes or nearby skin

Question 28

In a malignant melanoma, what happens in stage 1?

Answer 28

Localised to epidermis under 1mm thick

Question 29

In a malignant melanoma, what happens in stage 2?

Answer 29

Localised to epidermis, 1-4 mm thick

Question 30

In a malignant melanoma, what happens in stage 4?

Answer 30

Metastasis to other internal organs Lymph node involvement

Question 31

Ageing causes wrinkling through loss of what?

Answer 31

integumentary cells & glands

Question 32

Malignant melanomas can be identified using what acronym?

Answer 32

A B C D

Question 33

What area of skin has a thickness of around 4mm?

Answer 33

Heel

Question 34

What area of skin as a thickness of around 0.5mm?

Answer 34

Eyelid

Question 35

How does the skin synthesise vitamin D?

Answer 35

UV radiation synthesises Vit D via calcitriol (aids calcium absorption)

Question 36

Explain the skin's function as a blood reservoir

Answer 36

Dermis has extensive network of blood vessels | Carry 8-10% of blood at rest

Question 37

Explain the skin's ability to excrete and absorb

Answer 37

Excretion of sweat | Absorption of lipid-soluble materials (e.g. Vitamins A, D, E, K | Cortisone)

Question 38

What is the hypodermis?

Answer 38

Subcutaneous layer consisting of areolar & adipose tissue

Question 39

What are Langerhans cells?

Answer 39

One of the cells found in the epidermis. Participate in immune responses against microbes that invade the skin

Question 40

What are Keratinocytes?

Answer 40

One of the cells found in the epidermis. Arranged in 4-5 layers | Produce keratin | Protects skin from external environment

Question 41

What are Melanocytes?

Answer 41

One of the cells found in the epidermis. Produces melanin | Transfer melanin to keratinocytes | Contributes to skin pigment | Absorbs UV light

Question 42

What are Merkel cells?

Answer 42

One of the cells found in the epidermis. In direct contact with sensory neurons via a Merkel disc | Detect touch sensations

Question 43

How many layers of thin skin are there?

Answer 43

4

Question 44

Which layer of skin is categorised by - 25 – 30 layers of dead keratinocytes which are shed & replaced by deeper cells

Answer 44

Stratum Corneum

Question 45

Which layer of skin is categorised by - 3-5 layers of flattened keratinocytes undergoing apoptosis | Lipid secretions provide waterproofing

Answer 45

Stratum Granulosum

Question 46

Which layer of skin is categorised by - 8-10 layers of keratinocytes fitting closely together that provide strength and flexibility to skin

Answer 46

Spinous Spinosum

Question 47

Which layer of skin is described as a Single layer that contains stem cells that undergo cell division to continually produce keratinocytes

Answer 47

Stratum Basale

Question 48

What is the extra 5th layer of skin called that is located between the Stratum granulosum & thickened stratum corneum?

Answer 48

Stratum lucidum

Question 49

What is apoptosis?

Answer 49

Cell death

Question 50

How long does Keratinisation take?

Answer 50

Approximately 4 weeks

Question 51

What is Keratinisation?

Answer 51

As cells move closer to the surface of the skin, they accumulate more keratin

Question 52

What are Meissner corpuscles?

Answer 52

touch sensitive nerves

Question 53

Why do our cheeks go red?

Answer 53

Skin appears pink to red depending on oxygen content of blood moving through capillaries of the dermis due to haemoglobin (oxygen carrying pigment in red blood cells)

Question 54

What colour can your skin go if you have too much carotene?

Answer 54

Orange