Integumentary System: Skin Color, Hair, Nails, and Glands

What are the three main factors that determine skin color?

Melanin, blood circulation, and thickness of stratum corneum

What is melanin?

Pigment made by melanocytes that protects DNA from UV radiation

How does UV radiation affect skin?

Can cause DNA damage, wrinkles, and immune suppression

What is carotene?

Yellow-orange pigment found in the stratum corneum

What gives skin a pinkish color?

Oxygenated hemoglobin in blood vessels

What is cyanosis?

Blue skin color caused by low oxygen levels

What is jaundice?

Yellow skin caused by bilirubin buildup from liver issues

What is the structure of hair?

Shaft (above skin), root (below skin), matrix (growth), and dermal papilla (nourishment)

What are the functions of hair?

Protection, sensory input, heat retention, and warning system

What causes hair loss?

Hormones, aging (alopecia), nutrition, and smoking

What are nails made of?

Hard keratin

What is the function of nails?

Protect fingertips and enhance sensation

What are the two types of sweat glands?

Eccrine (cooling) and apocrine (emotional/pheromonal)

Where are eccrine glands located?

All over body, especially palms, soles, and forehead

Where are apocrine glands located?

Axillary and anogenital areas, activated at puberty

What do sebaceous glands produce?

Sebum (oil) to lubricate skin and has antibacterial properties

What is acne caused by?

Infected and inflamed sebaceous glands

What are five main functions of the integumentary system?

Protection, excretion, thermoregulation, sensation, vitamin D synthesis

How does skin help regulate temperature?

Sweat evaporation cools the body

How does the skin contribute to vitamin D synthesis?

UV exposure helps produce vitamin D for calcium absorption