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Experiment no. 11
INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM
Objective:
1. To enable the learner to be familiar with the cells and tissues found in the skin.
2. To enable the learner to identify the functions of the skin
Introduction:
The skin is the largest single organ of the body. It is a multifunctional organ
composed of various tissues. It provides protection against the elements, helps control body
temperature and the removal of waste products, and also acts as a sensory organ.

Materials:
Prepared slides, Microscope, Reference books, Pencil, Colored pencils
Procedures:
1. Focus the following prepared slides under the microscope:
a) General body skin
b) Melanocytes
c) Merkel cells
d) Meissner tactile corpuscles
e) Lamellated (pacinian) corpuscles
2. Accomplish the activities and answer the question below.
Illustrations:
1. Complete the table below:

Layer Specific Layer Description

Epidermis Stratum corneum the stratum corneum is typically 12 to 20 cell
layers thick but may be over 50 layers thick in
the soles of the feet and less than 9 layers thick
on the eyelids. 
Stratum lucidum The stratum lucidum (Latin for "clear layer") is a
 thin, clear layer of dead skin cells in the
epidermis named for its translucent appearance
under a microscope
Stratum granulosum The stratum granulosum has a grainy appearance
due to further changes to the keratinocytes as
they are pushed from the stratum spinosum.
Stratum spinosum the stratum spinosum is spiny in appearance due
to the protruding cell processes that join the cells
via a structure called a desmosome. The
desmosomes interlock with each other and
strengthen the bond between the cells.
Stratum basale The stratum basale (also called the stratum
germinativum) is the deepest epidermal layer and
attaches the epidermis to the basal lamina, below
which lie the layers of the dermis.
Papillary layer The papillary layer is made of loose, areolar
connective tissue, which means the collagen and
elastin fibers of this layer form a loose mesh.
This superficial layer of the dermis projects into
the stratum basale of the epidermis to form
finger-like dermal papillae.
Dermis Reticular layer Underlying the papillary layer is the much
thicker reticular layer, composed of dense,
irregular connective tissue. This layer is well
vascularized and has a rich sensory and
sympathetic nerve supply. The reticular layer
appears reticulated (net-like) due to a tight
meshwork of fibers.
The hypodermis (also called the subcutaneous
layer or superficial fascia) is a layer directly
Subcutaneous layer below the dermis and serves to connect the skin
to the underlying fascia (fibrous tissue) of the
bones and muscles.

2. Draw and label the following: (All drawings under the microscope)
a. Sequence of the epidermal layers
b. Melanocytes

c. Merkel cells

d. Meissner tactile corpuscles

 e. Lamellated (pacinian) corpuscles

Questions for Research:

1. What are the functions of the skin?
- The skin has three main functions: protection, regulation and sensation. Wounding
affects all the functions of the skin.

2. What are the similarities between the general body skin and the palm skin?
- Thick Skin-thick stratum corneum, no hair or sebaceaous glands, has sweat glands,
has stratum lucidum, palms and soles
Thin skin-thin stratum corneum, hair, sweat and sebaceous glands, no stratum lucidum,
covers most of body

3. Discuss the regeneration of skin from the wound.

- The ability of the skin to repair itself after injury is vital to human survival, and the
process of cutaneous wound healing is complex, requiring a coordinated response by
immune cells, hematopoietic cells, and resident cells of the skin. While skin wounds heal,
they do not regenerate normal human skin.

4. Pathophysiology of Albinism
 - Melanin is a photoprotective pigment in the skin that absorbs UV light from the
sun, thereby preventing skin damage. With sun exposure, the skin normally tans as a
result of increased melanin pigment in the skin. However, many albinos are sensitive to
sunlight and develop a sunburn because of the lack of melanin.
In addition to the skin, melanin is important to other areas of the body, such as the eyes
and brain, although the function in these areas is not currently known.