lect 3 pt 5

Apocrine sweat glands

Type of sweat gland associated with a unique body odor.

Unique-to-the-individual organic solution

What apocrine sweat glands secrete.

Why apocrine secretions are unique

Everyone's apocrine secretions are a little different.

Primary distribution of apocrine sweat glands

Concentrated in areas such as the armpits, around the nipples, around the anus, and the pubic region.

Major role of apocrine secretions

They contribute to an individual's unique smell/body odor.

MHC

Major histocompatibility complex.

Importance of MHC in organ transplantation

A more compatible MHC between donor and recipient lowers the risk of organ rejection.

Relationship between apocrine secretions and MHC

Components of apocrine secretions are associated with the individual's major histocompatibility complex (MHC).

T-shirt study investigation

Investigated whether people were attracted to particular individual body odors and whether this related to genetic compatibility.

Women's preference in genetic makeup

Tended to be more attracted to mates with more different genetic makeup from their own.

Structures of the integumentary system

The cutaneous membrane, skin derivatives, blood vessels, and nerves.

Examples of skin derivatives

Fingernails, hair, sweat glands, and other glands.

First major function of the integumentary system

Protection.

Integumentary system protection against physical damage

Protects against physical trauma and abrasion.

Substances the integumentary system protects against

Chemicals, toxins, and microbes.

Skin protection against chemicals and toxins

Its relatively impermeable barrier prevents many substances from reaching the inside of the body.

Type of radiation the integumentary system protects against

Solar radiation.

Harmful effects of excessive solar radiation

Can damage cells and DNA, potentially causing abnormal cellular changes.

Cells responding to sun exposure

Melanocytes.

Role of pigment produced by melanocytes

Helps reflect/absorb solar radiation, contributing to the tanning response.

Vitamin synthesized by the skin in response to sunlight

Vitamin D.

Role of vitamin D in the body

Helps increase calcium uptake/storage in bones.

Type of immune defense provided by the skin

Epidermal dendritic cells provide immune defense.

Function of epidermal dendritic cells

Phagocytic cells that can attack/eat pathogens that penetrate the skin.

Sensory information detected by skin

Temperature, touch, pressure, and pain.

Types of secretions produced by the integumentary system

Sweat and oils/sebum.

First major step of wound healing

Cut blood vessels bleed into the wound and form a blood clot.

Functions of the blood clot during wound healing

Forms a barrier to pathogens and eventually dries into a scab.

Processes during third and fourth steps of wound healing

Blood vessels regenerate and grow into the wound, macrophages remove the blood clot, fibroblasts produce collagen fibers, and epithelial cells divide laterally to close the wound.

Roles of macrophages and neutrophils during wound healing

Clean cellular debris from the wound; neutrophils also help attack pathogens such as bacteria.