Study Questions Test

Identify and describe each of the 4 types of epidermal cells.

• Keratinocytes = most numerous, water repellent, produces keratin, physical protection

• Melanocytes= produce melanin, offer limited UV protection

• Langerhans = immune response

• Merkel = touch

What is a skin graft? And why might someone need this procedure?

A skin graft is a patch of healthy skin taken from a donor. Someone might need this procedure because of a wound or a severe burn.

Explain each of the 5 functions of the skin.

1. Regulating body temp - sweat releasing to cool body, dermal blood vessels changing size to release heat.

   
   

2. Protection - Physical barrier, prevents dehydration, water repellant and some UV protection.

3. Cutaneous Sensation- touch, pain, warm, cool.

4. Excretion & absorption - limited, small role, sweat, substances absorbed from environment

5. Synthesis of vitamin D - uses UV light so you can absorb calcium/phosphorus

How are tattoos permanently placed on the skin? What can cause them to fade?

Ink is placed in the dermis which is not shed. Some things that could cause them to fade is exposure to sunlight, improper after care, infections, immune system can all fade the tattoo.

Choose one of the traditional methods of tattooing from the list: Moko (Maori), Sewing Method (Inuit), Tebori (Japanese), or Tapping Method (Polynesian/Hawaiian).

Explain the process used by the tattoo artists and how it differs from modern tattooing methods.

I choose the Moko/Maori method, they create scars then fill them with ink instead of the modern way where they place the ink smoothly.

How does water behave when placed on the surface of the skin? Why does this occur?

Water says in a droplet/falls off the skin; water is polar while skin is non-polar so they resist each other.

What properties should a medication that needs to be absorbed by the skin have?
Why?

1. Non-polar (like the skin for absorption)

2. no color/vanishing (so its not obvious)

3. unscented (so no one notices)

4. cream (so it will stay on the skin and get absorbed)

What is Harlequin Ichthyosis? Describe the symptoms and quality of life of people who have this disorder.

HI is a genetic disorder where someone produces too much skin.

Daily life requires frequent bathing/skin scraping, lots of CREAMING, high risk of infection, red/inflamed skin, damage to vision.

Describe the role of melanin as a pigment in the skin.

Melanin is produced by melanocytes in response to UV light. Serves as a limited means of protection.

What is albinism? How does this differ from vitiligo?

Albinism= genetic condition where the person cannot produce any melanin.

Vitiligo = autoimmune disorder that
destroys melanocytes so patches of skin have no melanin.

Why do people with fair skin sometimes appear pink or red?

They have very little melanin so the hemoglobin in their blood is more visible giving them the red/pink appearance.

What color does carotene deposit in the skin?

Yellow-orange color.

If a person is jaundiced, what does this indicate about their health?

Indicates liver damage.

Describe the appearance and medical issue associated with someone who is cyanotic.

Cyanosis/Cyanotic causes blue color to fingers/toes/lips; This issue indicates person has stopped breathing.

Erythema is related to what kind of health issues?

Erythema is redness of the skin

(ex: infection, allergies, bites, injury)

Someone with pallor is likely suffering from what?

Anemia or went into shock

What are some complications that can arise from body piercings?

Get in the way of medical procedures, and could include infections.

How was hemoglobin involved in the condition seen in the Blue People of Troublesome Creek?

The blue people had an irregular form of hemoglobin that caused their blue appearance due to a genetic disorder.

How can the skin be used for cooling/warming (other than sweating/shivering)?

Blood vessels in the skin can get larger (dilate) to release heat or get smaller (constrict) to conserve heat.

Why would someone who was born in a colder climate have issues with cooling when they travel to a much warmer area?

People in colder climates have many of their sweat glands become inactive, this will cause problems when they travel to warmer areas because they can't produce enough sweat.

How is hyperthermia different than having a fever?

Hyperthermia is when your body turns extremely cold and a fever is when your body temperature increases which gets really hot.

Why is it dangerous to cool someone with hyperthermia too quickly ex: cause them to shiver)?

Cooling someone with hypothermia too quickly can cause them to shiver and lead to increased heating of the body.

Describe how temperature regulation works differently in babies compared to older children/adults.

If babies get cold they can't shiver/perform body movements to produce heat. They minimize heat loss by reducing blood supply to skin, hands, feet. They're able to sweat but the glands are not fully functional until about a month after birth.