THE INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM

Activity No. 12

I. Objective/s:
1. Examine microscopic characteristics of the skin.
2.Identify the different structure associated with the skin.
3.Draw and label a sample of the skin.
4.Examine hair and nails and other specialized structures of the skin.
5.Differentiate the integumentary system of the frog from man.

II. Materials:
Microscope, prepared slide, model of human skin, prepared slide of frog skin

III. Procedures:
A.SKIN
1.Draw a representative part of a skin. Label the layers of the epidermis and parts of the
dermis.
2.Study a prepared slide of a frog skin. Take note of the principal layers of the skin and
the corresponding organs. Draw your observations.

Figure 1. Human Skin 40x Figure 2. Frog Skin 40x

Questions/ Discussion:
1.Discuss the function of the sebaceous gland
Sebaceous glands are responsible for producing and secreting sebum, a mixture of
complex oils that includes triglycerides and fatty acid breakdown products, wax esters,
squalene, cholesterol esters, and cholesterol. Sebum lubricates the skin, protecting it
from friction and making it more water resistant.
2. What cause hair to stand up when one is cold?
Piloerection is the medical word for hair that stands on end. It's a reflex that causes the
hairs to rise by contracting tiny muscles near our hair follicles. This can be triggered by
a variety of stimuli, such as a cold wind on a hot day. This is a relic from a time when we
were hairier, and it can still be seen in our ape cousins. The cool breeze will cause the
hair to rise and then fall back, trapping warm air near to the skin and assisting in the
rewarming of the body. When we're cold, small muscles at the base of each hair
contract, causing them to stand on edge and distorting the skin, resulting in
goosebumps. Piloerection, or the use of hair or fur to trap an insulating air layer, is a
hair-raising feature shared by all mammals. Although the procedure may have kept our
hairy forefathers warm, today's human body hair is far too fine to be useful. Shivering,
on the other hand, does a much greater job of warming us up by causing fast muscular
contractions.
3. How do blood vessels in the skin help regulate body temperature?
The blood vessels of the dermis provide nutrients to the skin and help regulate body
temperature. Heat makes the blood vessels enlarge (dilate), allowing large amounts of
blood to circulate near the skin surface, where the heat can be released. And cold
makes the blood vessels narrow (constrict), retaining the body's heat. Vasodilation is
when blood vessels providing blood to the skin enlarge or dilate. This enables the blood
to carry more heat to the skin, where it can be lost to the atmosphere. Vasoconstriction
is the ability of blood vessels to tighten again. Once the body's temperature has
restored to normal, this decreases heat loss via the skin.
4. What layer of the skin has no direct blood supply? Why is this fact of special
significance to bedridden persons?
The epidermis has no blood vessels and receives nutrition from the underlying dermis.
Melanocytes contain pigment and provide coloration to the skin and are responsible for
absorbing radiation and protecting against the damage caused by ultraviolet radiation.

5.Explain the following terms:

a. Freckles
Freckles are little brown patches on the skin that appear in parts of the body that are
frequently exposed to the sun. Freckles are generally considered to be non-harmful.
They're caused by an excess of melanin, the pigment that gives skin and hair their color
(pigmentation). UV (ultraviolet) exposure causes freckles in most people.
b. Blackhead
Blackheads are small pimples occur on your skin as a result of obstructed hair follicles.
Because the pimples' surface appears dark or black, they're called blackheads.
Blackheads are a moderate kind of acne that most commonly develop on the face,
although they can also present on the back and chest.
c. Urticaria
Urticaria, also known as hives, wheals, welts, or nettle rash, is a rash that occurs on the
skin and is elevated and irritating. It might appear on a single portion of the body or
cover a wide area. The rash is usually quite irritating and can range in size from a few
millimeters to a hand's width.
d. Dermatitis
Dermatitis is a term used to describe a variety of skin disorders that produce
inflammation. Atopic dermatitis (eczema), contact dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis
are examples (dandruff). Red rashes, dry skin, and itching are some of the symptoms of
these disorders. Contact with something that irritates your skin or causes an allergic
reaction, such as poison ivy, perfume, lotion, or nickel-containing jewelry, is a typical
cause of dermatitis.
e. abrasion
Abrasions occur when the skin rubs against a rough surface, resulting in an open
wound. It's also known as a scrape or graze. Road rash is a type of abrasion caused by
the skin sliding against a hard surface. Abrasions are a common type of injury. They
might range in severity from minor to severe.
f. Diaphoresis
Diaphoresis is a medical term for perspiration or sweating. Perspiration that is
particularly heavy is commonly referred to as hyperhidrosis. Hyperhidrosis is
characterized by excessive and unpredictable sweating, which is caused by overactive
sweat glands.
g. Gooseflesh
Gooseflesh are also known as goosebumps. It's a skin condition brought on by cold,
fright, or excitement, in which little bumps develop on the surface when hairs stand up
straight or erect.
1. Make a drawing of a short strand of hair, identify and label with the following terms:
hair root, hair shaft, cuticle.

C. NAILS
1. Examine your fingernails. Make a drawing of a nail and label the following: lunula,
lateral nail groove, nail fold.

VI. Conclusion:
Conclusively the skin is the biggest organ in the human body, with a variety of tasks that
aid survival. The layered structure of the skin, as well as the many tiny elements within
these layers that allow the skin execute its primary protective function, may be seen
under a microscope. Skin has three layers: The epidermis, the outermost layer of skin,
provides a waterproof barrier and creates our skin tone. The dermis, beneath the
epidermis, contains tough connective tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands. The
deeper subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis) is made of fat and connective tissue.
Accessory structures of the skin include the hair, nails, sweat glands and sebaceous
glands. These structures embryologically originate from the epidermis and are often
termed “appendages”; they can extend down through the dermis into the hypodermis.
The main difference between frog and human integumentary system is that the frog
integumentary system serves as a respiratory organ whereas the human integumentary
system does not. Furthermore, the skin of frogs secretes mucus and poisons while the
skin of humans secretes sweat and sebum. They also have structures not found in the
human skeleton i.e. the urostyle. A frog has a 3 chambered heart (2 upper chambers
(atria) and only 1 lower chamber) compared to the 4 chambered heart a human has.
Frogs and toads don't have fur, feathers, or scales on their skin. Instead, they have a
moist and permeable skin layer covered with mucous glands. Their special skin allows
them to breathe through their skin in addition to using their lungs.