Integumentary System Study Questions in Text

Pages 193 and 194



Critical Thinking Questions: 3, 6, and 8



3. As a rule, a superficial partial-thickness burn is more painful than one involving deeper tissues. How would you explain this observation? The deeper the burn, the more nerve tissue is damaged. The more nerve tissue damaged, the less pain you feel.




6. How would you explain to an athlete the importance of keeping the body hydrated when exercising in warm weather? 1. Water enables you to keep sweating and keep your body cool. 2. Losing water makes you lose certain nutrients in your body (potassium, electrolytes) which can cause muscle cramping. 3. Loss of water also causes reduced blood volume, resulting in less efficiency for carrying nutrients/oxygen to your body.



8. How is skin peeling after a servere sunburn protective? How might a fever be protective? Skin peeling after a sunburn is protective because the skin is dead and must fall off to prevent infection and enable new skin to grow in its place. A fever is protective because the higher temperatures kill germs invading your body.






Review Exercises: 4, 5, 6, 8, 13, 15, 16, 22, 25, 27, 28 and 29



4. List six functions of skin.

1- Holds you together!

2- Heat regulation.

3. Waterproofing!

4. First defense against germs.

5. Sensory reception.

6. Vitamin D production.



5. Distinguish betqween the epidermis and the dermis. The epidermis is the top layer of your skin, which is visible and is composed of two layers. Underneath that is the dermis, which is composed of connective tissue, elastic fibers, and sensory nerves.



6. Describe the subcutaneous layer. It is located under the dermis and is composed mainly of adipose. It is used for energy storage, insulation, and protection for your body. It can also result in obesity if there is too much.



8. List the layers of the epidermis. Stratum Germinativum (on the bottom) and Stratum Corneum (top layer).



13. Distinguish between a hair and a hair follicle. A hair is a thin, oil-coated strand of particles that grows from your skin. A hair follicle is where the hair grows from under your skin. It also is where the oil is stored.



15. Describe how nails are formed. Nails are made of dead cells. They grow underneath your skin in a "nail room." The cells layer on top of one another until your nail protrudes from the skin and becomes your nail body. The cuticle covers the nail root and protects the nail.



16. Explain the function of sebaceous glands. They secrete oil into the hair follicle and allow your skin to be waterproofed.



22. Describe the body's responses to decreasing body temperature. Well, if you get too cold, your brain sends a signal to your body and you begin to shiver. Those vibrations put off energy (heat!) and you get warmer. Also blood from your appendages (especially yours hands, feet, and nose) comes into the trunk and head of your body to keep you warm.



25. Describe three physiological factors that affect skin color. Bloodflow: The amount of blood underneath your skin accounts for some of the color of your skin, such as people who have naturally rosy cheeks. Natural pigment: Pigment produced affects your skin color. Tanning/Freckles: The skin's response to UV light increases the amount of pigment produced (to protect your skin from the sunlight) and you tan, or get more freckles.



27. Distinguish among first, second, third degree burns. First degree is a red mark that is painful and heals fairly quickly. (No blistering.) Second degree blisters and is very painful, and takes a longer amount of time to heal. Third degree is below the skin and straight to the nerves, so there is no pain because the nerves are burned away. Third degree can take a very long time to heal, and may require autografts or heterografts.



28. Describe possible treatments for a third degree burn. Autografts/heterografts are a possible solution. Also, time. You must also keep the wound cleaned to prevent infection, which will make the damage take longer to heal.



29. List three effects of aging on skin. 1. Skin cells, as they age, can lose the ability to divide correctly, resulting in age spots, or pre-cancerous spots on the skin that can become cancer unless removed. 2. Wrinkling. 3. Skin loses its elasticity.