Lab 5: REVIEW ACTIVITY - INTEGUMENTARY STRUCTURES FOR

LABELING
A: Label the part and write the function
 WORD BANK
arrector pili muscle merocrine (sweat) gland
dermis Pacinian corpuscle
epidermis papillary layer of dermis
epithelial sheath reticular layer of dermis
hair follicle sebaceous (oil) gland
hair papillae/bulb
hair shaft stratum basale
hypodermis stratum corneum
Meissner’s corpuscle stratum granulosum
melanocytes stratum lucidum*
sensory receptor (nerve) stratum spinosum

B. Lab Review Questions

1. What substance begins its manufacture in the skin by exposure to sunlight (but is not a
secretion) to play a role elsewhere in the body?
- The substance that initiates its production in the skin through exposure to sunlight but is
not a secretion is Vitamin D. When the skin is exposed to sunlight, it transforms a
precursor called 7-dehydrocholesterol into Vitamin D. This vitamin is essential for
various bodily functions, including the absorption of calcium, maintaining bone health,
and regulating the immune system.

2. List 4 types of sensory receptors found in the skin and their functions.
a. Meissner's Corpuscles: These receptors are situated in the dermal papillae and
are responsible for detecting gentle touch and low-frequency vibrations, mainly
in sensitive areas like fingertips and lips.
b. Pacinian Corpuscles: Found deep in the subcutaneous layer of the skin, Pacinian
corpuscles identify deep pressure and high-frequency vibrations. They contribute
to our sense of where our body is in space, known as proprioception.
c. Free Nerve Endings: These are the most common sensory receptors in the skin
and are responsible for sensing pain, temperature, and itching.
d. Merkel Cells: These specialized cells located in the epidermis are closely
associated with nerve endings and play a role in perceiving fine touch and
pressure, particularly in hairless skin regions.
3. What cells help darken the skin? In which layer of the epidermis are they found?
- Cells that help darken the skin are Melanocytes, and they are found in the stratum
basale, which is the deepest layer of the epidermis. Melanocytes produce a pigment
called melanin in response to UV radiation from sunlight. Melanin is responsible for skin,
hair, and eye color, and it provides some protection against the harmful effects of
ultraviolet (UV) rays.

4. How does the skin help in regulating body temperature? (Describe two mechanisms)
a. Sweating: Sweat glands in the skin produce sweat in response to increased body
temperature. As sweat evaporates from the skin's surface, it takes away excess heat,
cooling the body. This process is known as evaporative cooling.
b. Vasodilation and Vasoconstriction: Blood vessels in the skin can either dilate (widen) or
constrict (narrow) in response to temperature changes. When the body needs to
dissipate heat, the blood vessels dilate, allowing more blood to flow near the skin's
surface, which promotes heat loss. Conversely, when the body needs to conserve heat,
these vessels constrict, reducing blood flow to the skin and minimizing heat loss.

References:
- Holick, M. F. (2007). Vitamin D deficiency. New England Journal of Medicine, 357(3),
266-281.
- Tortora, G. J., & Derrickson, B. (2017). Principles of Anatomy and Physiology (15th ed.).
John Wiley & Sons.