Chapter 6 Study Guide (Questions + Correct Answers Only)

Skin Overview

1. What is the largest organ in the body?

Skin

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

Integumentary

Epidermis: Layers + Skin Types

2. What is the name of the deepest layer of cells within the epidermis (stem cells/precursors for keratinocytes)?

Stratum basale

3. Which statement best describes thick skin?

Found only on the palms and soles of the feet.

4. Which statement best describes thin skin?

Exists all over the body and has four cell layers.

5. The epidermis is primarily composed of what type of specialized squamous epithelium?

Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium

6. The epidermis is composed of which tissue type?

Epithelial tissue

7. Which epidermal layer is only found on palms and soles?

Stratum lucidum

47. Stratum basale, spinosum, granulosum, lucidum, and corneum are what?

Layers of the epidermis

50. The stratum spinosum is composed of approximately how many layers?

8 to 10

45. When new keratinocytes are produced atop the stratum basale, what occurs?

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

51. The bumps and ridges of the dermis and epidermis interlock to form a combined structure that…

Rarely pulls apart when exposed to friction or shear force.

Skin Proteins + Barrier Function

8. What intracellular fibrous protein gives hair, nails, and skin hardness and water resistance?

Keratin

30. Keratin layers and glycolipids in the stratum corneum prevent what?

Water loss

Aging & Skin Appearance

10. What makes skin thinner and slower to heal during aging?

Reduced number of stem cells in the basal layer.

11. What is the primary cause of wrinkles in the skin?

Loss of collagen

15. When the dermis is stretched beyond its limits of elasticity, the skin shows evidence of what?

Stretch marks

Dermis / Hypodermis / Fascia

12. What is the layer directly below the dermis that connects skin to underlying fascia?

Hypodermal layer

13. Major functions of the hypodermis (subcutaneous layer)?

Fat storage, insulation, and cushioning

14. Dermis thickness varies primarily based on what?

Location on the body

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

Fascia

21. Role played by adipose tissue in the hypodermis?

Thermoregulation

20. Reticular layer within the dermis is best described as…

Well vascularized and rich sensory nerve supply.

49. Which statement best characterizes the deeper layer of the skin?

The dermis is well vascularized and highly innervated.

Skin Color + Immune Cells

16. Skin coloration depends on what factor?

Amount of melanin stored in melanocytes

18. Primary function of the Langerhans (dendritic) cell?

Engulf bacteria and damaged cells

19. Two primary forms of melanin?

Eumelanin and pheomelanin

48. Difference between eumelanin and pheomelanin?

Eumelanin is black/brown; pheomelanin is reddish.

46. Which substance provides protection from UV radiation and aids in vitamin D production?

Melanin

Hair & Nails

22. Epidermal structure that the shaft of hair grows within?

Hair follicle

23. Oil gland associated with each hair follicle?

Sebaceous gland

24. Thin strip of epidermis between proximal nail fold and nail body?

Nail cuticle

35. What factor determines the growth cycle of hair follicles?

Genetics

Sweat & Oil Glands

25. Dermcidin is produced by eccrine glands and functions as…

An antimicrobial

26. Sweat from apocrine glands results in what?

Odorous chemicals (smell)

31. Oil glands found all over the body that lubricate/waterproof skin and hair?

Sebaceous glands

32. Sebaceous glands are typically what during childhood?

Inactive

33. Dermcidin and antibodies left behind after sweat evaporation provide what function?

Controls bacterial growth

34. Apocrine sweat glands secrete sweat through what process?

Exocytosis

Sensation (Skin Receptors)

27. Lamellated corpuscles detect what?

Pressure

28. Nociceptors detect what?

Pain

29. Tactile corpuscles detect what?

Touch

41. Where are specialized sensory nerves highly concentrated?

Tip of the fingers

UV, Vitamin D, Disease, Healing, Burns

42. Rickets (children) and osteomalacia (older adults) have what in common?

Lack of vitamin D

43. Human skin needs what to synthesize vitamin D?

UV radiation

37. DNA damage from overexposure to UV light most likely promotes what disease?

Cancer

36. Process where cancer cells spread and establish tumors in multiple organs?

Metastasis

38. Sunken scar due to insufficient collagen laid down is called what?

Atrophic scar

39. First step to repairing damaged skin?

Formation of blood clot

40. Burn affecting epidermis and part of dermis with swelling and painful blistering is what?

Second-degree burn

Short Answer (from your set)

44. Describe the process that leads to acne.

Acne occurs when a hair follicle becomes blocked (sebum + keratin/dead cells), bacteria overgrow, and the immune system triggers inflammation; pus may form (white, and can darken with air exposure).