Delilah Herrera

Anatomy and Physiology

Coach Marek
9/27/17
Integumentary System Lab Report

The skin, the largest organ in the body by weight, and its various accessory structures
make up the integumentary system. The Integumentary system consists of skin
structures and tissues which covers and protects the whole body. The skin is composed
of many several types of tissues such as muscle tissue, nervous tissue, areolar
connective tissue, adipose tissue, and dense irregular connective tissue. The skin
includes two distinct layers: epithelial tissue overlying the connective tissue. The outer
layer is called the epidermis and the inner layer called the dermis which are divided by a
structure called the basement membrane. The epidermis, which is superficial stratified
epithelial tissue, consists of the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum,
stratum lucidum, and stratum corneum, with other structures that pass through its cells.
The dermis consists of a deeper papillary layer and reticular layer, with hair follicles,
capillary networks with blood vessels, and various glands.The Epidermis has important
protection functions. It shields the moist underlying tissues against excess water loss,
mechanical injury, and the effects of harmful chemicals. When intact, the epidermis also
keeps out disease-causing microorganisms. When new skin cells are produced they go
through a process called cell death as they work their way to the surface and are
replaced with newer cells. The stratum basale is made up of cells that produce pigment,
keratin, microbial antigens, and nerve fibers.
Eccrine Sweat Glands are essential components of keeping the temperature regulation
in integumentary homeostasis. Sudoriferous eccrine sweat glands respond to the
temperature which increases due to heat or physical exercise. Sweat is then
transported to the surface of the skin. An experiment of the density glands in certain
areas of the body are revealed in areas triggered by physical activity (see figure 2).
Sensory receptors in the skin provide information to the brain about the size and shape
of objects held in the hand, these also help us perceive whether these objects appear
soft, smooth, or rough in texture. It can also help us know if the object is hot, cold, or
neutral in temperature. A two point tactile discrimination lab was completed to show
personal distinctions to contact of a protractor (see figure 4). Touch receptors in the skin
are essential components of daily lives and allow us to detect contact on the skins
surface. A two-point tactile discrimination lab was completed to demonstrate personal
distinctions to protractor contact (See Figure 4a). Due to personal inability to detect a
majority of touches, pressure receptors such as Pacinian Corpuscles were important in
completing this task. The functions of these receptors are important to survival and
serve a vital purpose.
The integumentary system is the organ system that protects the body from many kinds
of damage. It consists of the skin, hair, nails, glands, and nerves. Its main function it to
act as a barrier to protect the body from the world.
Figure 2

Figure 3
Figure 4

Figure 5
(each figure will be correctly labeled, followed by a tile, followed by a description of
information in
figure)
APA Citations