Activity 5

COMPARATIVE ANATOMY OF THE

INTEGUMENT/SKIN OF VERTEBRATES

Introduction

The integumentary system contains the sensory organs that detect arriving stimuli from the
external environment. It has two layers, separated by a basement membrane: the epidermis, the
surface layer; and below it is the dermis. The invagination of the epidermis form skin glands, both
exocrine and endocrine glands. Interaction between two layers stimulates formation of specialized
structures such as teeth, feather, hair, and scales of several varieties. The integument is considered
to be one of the largest organs of the body making up some 15% of the human body weight.

Objectives

At the end of the activity, the student should be able to:

1. Recognize the integumentary parts of the amphibians and mammalian;
2. Contrast the integument of the amphibian and mammalian; and
3. Realize the function of the skin to vertebrates.

Materials:

Prepared slides of:

Amphibians skin
Human scalp skin

Procedure

A. Get a prepared slide of Frog’s skin. Examine under the LPO. Only the observable parts under
the microscope are being described.

B. Identify and label the following:

AMPHIBIAN (FROG)

1. Epidermis – outermost layer, differentiated into:

1.1 Stratum Germinativum – innermost layer.
1.2 Stratum Corneum – outermost layer.
2. Dermis – deep layer, differentiated into:
2.1 Stratum Spongiosum – lies immediately below the stratum germinativum. There
are various specialized structures associated with this layer, such as:
2.1.1 Melanophores – lines the stratum spongiosum, a specific type of
Chromatophore (pigment cell) which produces a brown or black pigment.
2.1.2 Mucous glands – secretes a slimy secretion consisting of three parts:
2.1.2.1 Mouth – open onto the surface.
2.1.2.2 Neck – a duct leading to the mouth from the body or fundus.
NOTE: In poisonous amphibians, POISON GLANDS which secrete
toxic substances can also be found.

2.2 Stratum Compactum – thickest layer, made up of connective tissue fibers which
are arrange horizontally.
2.3 Subcutaneous layer – deep extension of the dermis, usually containing adipose
tissue.

Frog Skin
MAMMAL (HUMAN)

Procedure

A. Get a prepared slide of the HUMAN SCALP with HAIR. Focus under the LPO. Only the
observable parts under the microscope are being described.

B. Identify and label the following parts:

1. EPIDERMIS – outermost layer of the skin, differentiated into 5 layers:

1.1 Stratum Basale / Germinativum – innermost layer, where cells are produced
continually and migrate toward the surface.
1.2 Stratum Spinosum – immediately superficial to stratum basale.
1.3 Stratum Granulosum – a granular layer peripheral to the stratum spinosum.
1.4 Stratum Lucidum – third layer, lies just above the stratum granulosum. This layer
occurs in thick skin, also immediately deep to the stratum corneum.
NOTE: This layer is not observed since scalp skin is used.
1.5 Stratum Corneum – outer layer of cells with cornified cytoplasm.

Human Thick skin (Epidermis)

Epidermal Derivatives:

1. Sebaceous Glands – arise from the walls of the hair follicle.

2. Sweat Glands – coiled tube, numerously distributed within the dermal layer.
3. Arrector pili muscle – tiny dandles of smooth muscle associated with hair follicle
4. Hair shaft – exposed part of the hair.
4.1 Hair follicle – the pit in the skin from which each hair springs.
4.2 Hair bulb/Papilla – situated at the bottom of the hair follicle.

Human scalp (Epidermal Derivatives)

 2. DERMIS – innermost, thicker layer of the skin, differentiated into 3 layers:
2.1 Papillary layer – contains many small finger-like projections called PAPILLAE,
marking the upper region of the dermis projecting into the epidermis.
2.2 Reticular layer – region below the papillary layer.
2.3 Subcutaneous layer – deep extension of the dermis, usually including adipose tissue.

Human Scalp (Dermis)

Follow up question: What is the difference between the human skin and the frog skin in terms
of morphology? function? (2pt)