Chapter 6 Study Guide (Questions + Correct Answers Only)

What is the largest organ in the body?

Skin

What is the name of the organ system that refers to the skin, hair, nails, and exocrine glands?

Integumentary

What is the name of the deepest layer of cells within the epidermis?

Stratum basale

Where is thick skin found in the body?

On the palms and soles of the feet.

What characterizes thin skin?

Exists all over the body and has four cell layers.

What type of specialized squamous epithelium is the epidermis primarily composed of?

Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium

What type of tissue makes up the epidermis?

Epithelial tissue

Which epidermal layer is unique to palms and soles?

Stratum lucidum

What are the layers of the epidermis?

Stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, and stratum corneum.

Approximately how many layers compose the stratum spinosum?

8 to 10 layers

What happens when new keratinocytes are produced atop the stratum basale?

Keratinocytes of the stratum spinosum are pushed into the stratum granulosum.

What is the role of bumps and ridges between the dermis and epidermis?

They interlock to form a structure that rarely pulls apart under friction.

What intracellular protein provides hardness and water resistance to hair, nails, and skin?

Keratin

What do the keratin layers and glycolipids in the stratum corneum prevent?

Water loss

What makes skin thinner and slower to heal during aging?

Reduced number of stem cells in the basal layer.

What is the primary cause of wrinkles in the skin?

Loss of collagen

What evidence occurs when the dermis is stretched beyond its limits?

Stretch marks

What is the layer directly below the dermis called?

Hypodermal layer

What are the major functions of the hypodermis?

Fat storage, insulation, and cushioning

Dermis thickness varies primarily based on what?

Location on the body.

What connective tissue sheet anchors the skin to the muscle beneath?

Fascia

What role does adipose tissue play in the hypodermis?

Thermoregulation

How is the reticular layer within the dermis best described?

Well vascularized and rich in sensory nerve supply.

What does skin coloration depend on?

Amount of melanin stored in melanocytes.

What is the primary function of Langerhans cells?

To engulf bacteria and damaged cells.

What are the two primary forms of melanin?

Eumelanin and pheomelanin.

What is the difference between eumelanin and pheomelanin?

Eumelanin is black/brown; pheomelanin is reddish.

What substance provides protection from UV radiation and aids in vitamin D production?

Melanin.

What is the epidermal structure within which the shaft of hair grows?

Hair follicle.

What gland is associated with each hair follicle?

Sebaceous gland.

What is the thin strip of epidermis between the proximal nail fold and the nail body?

Nail cuticle.

What determines the growth cycle of hair follicles?

Genetics.

What does dermcidin function as?

An antimicrobial.

What results from sweat secreted by apocrine glands?

Odorous chemicals.

What allows sebaceous glands to waterproof the skin and hair?

Oil production.

What does dermcidin and antibodies from sweat help control?

Bacterial growth.

What do lamellated corpuscles detect?

Pressure.

What do nociceptors detect?

Pain.

What do tactile corpuscles detect?

Touch.

Where are specialized sensory nerves highly concentrated?

Tip of the fingers.

What do Rickets and osteomalacia have in common?

Lack of vitamin D.

What does human skin need to synthesize vitamin D?

UV radiation.

What disease is most likely promoted by DNA damage from overexposure to UV light?

Cancer.

What is the term for the process where cancer cells spread and establish tumors in multiple organs?

Metastasis.

What is an atrophic scar?

Sunken scar due to insufficient collagen.

What is the first step to repairing damaged skin?

Formation of a blood clot.

What is a second-degree burn characterized by?

Affecting the epidermis and part of the dermis with swelling and painful blistering.