Unit 4 Study Guide
Unit 4 Lecture Study Guide
Use the lecture folder to help you complete this guide. The more detail you can provide the better prepared for the test you will be.
1. What is the integumentary system and its primary characteristics?
- the skin and its derivates (sweat and oil glands, hairs and nails)
- provides external protection for the body
2. Describe and give at least one example of each of the functions of the integumentary system.
1. Protection- skin secretions
2. body temperature regulation- production of copious amounts of sweat to dissipate heat
3. coetaneous sensation- nerve endings- detect painful stimuli
4. Metabolic Functions- chemical conversion of many substances
5. blood reservoir- vasoconstriction and vasodilatation
6. Excretion- elimination or nitrogen- containing wastes, salt and water
3. Differentiate between chemical, physical/mechanical and biological barriers provided by the integumentary system. Be sure to provide a minimum of one example for each.
1. Chemical Barriers (skin secretion and melanin) 1. Skin secretions (acid mantle) a. Low pH and sebum slow bacterial growth on skin surface b. Human defensin – natural antibiotic c. Cathelicidins – proteins that prevent Strep A infection in wounded skin 2. Melanin – chemical pigment that prevents UV damage 2. Physical/Mechanical Barriers – continuity of the skin and hardness of keratinized cells 3. Continuity prevents bacterial invasion 4. Glycolipids prevent diffusion of water and water-soluble substances between cells 5. Substances that are able to penetrate the skin: a. Lipid-soluble substances (i.e., oxygen, carbon dioxide, steroids, and fat-soluble vitamins) b. Oleoresins of certain plants (ex. Poison ivy and poison oak) c. Organic solvents (ex. Acetone, dry cleaning fluid, and paint thinner) d. Salts of heavy metals (ex. Lead, mercury,
Use the lecture folder to help you complete this guide. The more detail you can provide the better prepared for the test you will be.
1. What is the integumentary system and its primary characteristics?
- the skin and its derivates (sweat and oil glands, hairs and nails)
- provides external protection for the body
2. Describe and give at least one example of each of the functions of the integumentary system.
1. Protection- skin secretions
2. body temperature regulation- production of copious amounts of sweat to dissipate heat
3. coetaneous sensation- nerve endings- detect painful stimuli
4. Metabolic Functions- chemical conversion of many substances
5. blood reservoir- vasoconstriction and vasodilatation
6. Excretion- elimination or nitrogen- containing wastes, salt and water
3. Differentiate between chemical, physical/mechanical and biological barriers provided by the integumentary system. Be sure to provide a minimum of one example for each.
1. Chemical Barriers (skin secretion and melanin) 1. Skin secretions (acid mantle) a. Low pH and sebum slow bacterial growth on skin surface b. Human defensin – natural antibiotic c. Cathelicidins – proteins that prevent Strep A infection in wounded skin 2. Melanin – chemical pigment that prevents UV damage 2. Physical/Mechanical Barriers – continuity of the skin and hardness of keratinized cells 3. Continuity prevents bacterial invasion 4. Glycolipids prevent diffusion of water and water-soluble substances between cells 5. Substances that are able to penetrate the skin: a. Lipid-soluble substances (i.e., oxygen, carbon dioxide, steroids, and fat-soluble vitamins) b. Oleoresins of certain plants (ex. Poison ivy and poison oak) c. Organic solvents (ex. Acetone, dry cleaning fluid, and paint thinner) d. Salts of heavy metals (ex. Lead, mercury,