MODULE 22

Integumentary, Skeletal, and

Muscular Systems
1 The Integumentary System
BEFORE YOU READ WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Your entire body is covered by skin. What are the functions of • the functions of the
your skin? On the lines below, list your ideas. After you read this integumentary system
lesson, add other functions to your list. • the events that occur when
skin is repaired

READ TO LEARN
⊳ FOCUS
The Structure of Skin Make an outline of the
The integumentary (ihn TEG yuh MEN tuh ree) system is the information you learn in this
lesson. Start with the headings.
organ system that covers and protects the body. Skin is the main
Include the boldface terms.
organ of the integumentary system.
Skin is made up of four types of tissues. (1) Epithelial tissue
covers body surfaces. (2) Connective tissue supports and protects.
(3) Muscle tissue enables movement. (4) Nerve tissue is the body’s
communication network. Refer to the figure on the next page as
you read about the two main layers of skin: the epidermis and the
dermis.
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What are the functions of the epidermis?

Make a layered look-book
The outer layer of skin is the epidermis. It consists of a thin
using the labels shown.
layer of epithelial cells. The outer layers of epidermal cells contain Use it to organize your
keratin. Keratin (KER uh tun) is a protein that waterproofs and notes on skin.
protects the cells and tissues underneath. These dead outer cells
Subcutaneous
are shed constantly.
Dermis
The cells of the inner layer of epidermis continually divide Epidermis
by mitosis to replace the cells that are shed. This inner layer
produces a pigment called melanin. Melanin protects deeper SKIN
cells from the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays of sunlight.
The amount of melanin produced determines skin color.

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 Hair shaft
TAKE A LOOK Capillary Sweat
Free nerve
pore ending
1. Highlight the names of the
structures that are Sebaceous Epidermis
responsible for acne. gland

Muscle
Dermis

Artery

Vein
Subcutaneous
layer
Nerve
Sweat gland
Hair follicle
Fatty tissue Sensory receptor

What structures are found in the dermis?

Below the epidermis is the thicker second layer of skin called
Get It? the dermis. The dermis is made up of connective tissue.
2. Describe the hierarchical Connective tissue prevents the skin from tearing and enables the
structure and organization skin to return to its normal state after it is stretched. The dermis
of the skin.
contains nerve cells, muscle fibers, sweat glands, oil glands, and
hair follicles.
Below the dermis is the subcutaneous layer. This is a layer
of connective tissue that stores fat and holds heat.

How do hair and nails develop?

Fingernails, toenails, and hair are part of the integumentary
system. Both nails and hair contain keratin and develop from
epithelial cells. Hair cells grow out of holes in the dermis called
hair follicles. Cells at the base of a hair follicle divide and push
cells away from the follicle. This causes hair to grow.

Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education

THINK IT OVER
Around the hair follicles are sebaceous glands. These oil-
3. Define Which of the
following best describes producing glands lubricate skin and hair. When glands produce
a hair follicle? (Circle your too much oil, the follicles can become inflamed and blocked.
answer.) This can result in a whitehead, a blackhead, or acne—an
a. gland inflammation of the sebaceous glands.
b. shaft of hair Fingernails and toenails grow from specialized epithelial cells
c. hole at their base. The cells at the base divide, and older, dead cells are
compacted or pushed out.

Functions of the Integumentary System

Skin serves several important functions. It regulates body
temperature, produces vitamin D, protects our bodies, and helps
us sense our surroundings.

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 How does the body regulate its temperature?
When you are hot, your body sweats. The evaporation of sweat
cools your body. Evaporation transfers heat energy from your body to THINK IT OVER
your surroundings. When you are cold, your muscles contract 4. Explain Why is vitamin D
important to humans?
causing goose bumps. In animals, these contractions cause hair to
stand up and trap air to warm the animal. With little hair to keep us
warm, humans depend on fat in the subcutaneous layer for warmth.

Why is vitamin D important?

Skin responds to exposure to the Sun’s ultraviolet rays by
producing vitamin D. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium
and is essential for proper bone formation.

How does skin protect and sense?

Unbroken skin keeps microorganisms out of the body. Skin
helps maintain body temperature by preventing the loss of too Get It?
5. Identify the functions of the
much water. Melanin protects from ultraviolet rays.
skin and which layer of skin
Nerves in the skin relay messages about changes in the is associated with each
environment to the brain. The nerves make a person aware of function.
pain, pressure, and changes in temperature.

Damage to the Skin

Skin usually repairs itself. If it did not, the body could be
invaded by microbes through breaks in the skin. For minor
scrapes, epidermal cells divide and replace the injured cells.
Deeper injuries that harm blood vessels result in bleeding. Blood
clots form a scab to close the wound. Cells beneath the scab
divide and fill the wound, while blood cells help fight infections.

How do the Sun’s rays affect the skin?

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As people age, their skin becomes less flexible and wrinkles

form. Exposure to ultraviolet rays can accelerate this process.
Ultraviolet rays can also burn the skin. Burns from any source are
classified by severity. First-degree burns only involve epidermal THINK IT OVER
cells. Second-degree burns damage both dermis and epidermis, 6. Explain why you should
causing blisters and scars. Third-degree burns damage muscle avoid using a tanning bed.
tissue and nerve cells in both layers, and skin function is lost.

What can put a person at risk for skin cancer?

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the Sun or a tanning
bed increases the risk of skin cancer. Ultraviolet radiation can
damage DNA in skin cells, causing those cells to divide
uncontrollably. Clothing and sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher
protect against skin cancer.

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