HPR205 Week 2 – Discussion 2

Discuss a Minimum of Three Functions of the Integumentary System
The integumentary system comprises of the skin and other accessory components,
including nails, hair, and glands. One function of the integumentary system is that it
protects the body against invasions by microorganisms (Colbert, Ankney, & Lee, 2013).
The body also needs to be protected against chemicals and other environmental factors.
Another function of the integumentary system is shielding the body against dehydration.
Dehydration can easily result in death (Verhulst et al., 2011). The integumentary system
also helps in the regulation of body temperature. The system helps ensure that the body
temperature is kept within limits.
Explain the location, composition, and special features of the three layers of skin.
The skin is a large organ on its own and weighs approximately 20 pounds in an
average adult. The skin has three layers, namely the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous
fascia.
The Epidermis
The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin. One of the special features of the
epidermis is the fact that it is avascular. It also contains no nerve cells. The second
important feature is that cells in this layer are constantly being shed and replace by new
cells. Old cells are replaced by new cells called the stratum basale. New cells are created
in the basal layer. Everyday activities result in cells being damaged, and these cells need
to constantly be replaced. The continuous replacement of calls helps in ensuring that
broken cells are replaced. The epidermis also has specialized cells known as melanocytes.

Melanocytes help in giving the skin its color. Melanocytes produce melanin that helps
protect the body against ultraviolet rays of the sun. When the skin is exposed to rays of
the sun, the body responds by producing more melanin.
Dermis
The layer below the epidermis is known as the dermis. However, the epidermis is
thicker compared to the dermis. It contains capillaries, involuntary muscles, nerve
endings, hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sudoriferous glands. Movements made by
an individual are accomplished through the use of the collagenous and elastic fibers. The
fibers prevent the skin from tearing when one makes various movements. These fibers
also help the skin to attain the normal shape at rest. Sweat glands are also important parts
of the dermis (Verhulst et al., 2011). Sweat glands are distributed within the entire skin.
Large numbers of skin glands are located in the underarms, feet, and forehead. Sweat
glands secrete sweat, which helps in ensuring that the ideal body temperature is achieved
as well as performing excretion. The sebaceous glands are important in secreting oil. The
oil secreted by the sebaceous glands helps in shielding the skin from drying out. Sebum is
acidic in nature, and this helps in killing certain pathogens located on the surface of the
skin. A specialized sebaceous gland known as meibomiam glands is located in the eyes.
The gland aids in the secretion of tears that help protect the eyes against evaporation.
Subcutaneous Fascia
Subcutaneous fascia is the innermost layer of the skin. It is also known as the
hypodermis. It comprises of elastic and fibrous connective tissues. It contains fat cells
that are needed for temperature regulation. Fat is also efficient in the storage of energy.

Difference between Apocrine and Eccrine Glands
Sweat glands are divided into two: apocrine and eccrine glands. Apocrine glands
are sweat glands that are located in the armpits and the groin region. They secrete hair
follicles. They become active during puberty and result in hair growth, which is believed
to be a sexual attractant (Colbert, Ankney, & Lee, 2013). On the other hand, eccrine
glands are located in many parts of the body, with the exception of certain parts such as
lips and ear canal. Eccrine glands are important in the production of sweat. Eccrine
glands play an important role in the regulation of body temperature. They are located in
great numbers in areas such as palms, feet, and forehead. The body has approximately
3,000,000 sweat glands.

References

Colbert, B. J., Ankney, J., & Lee. K. T. (2013). Anatomy, physiology, & disease: An
interactive journey for health professionals (2nd ed.). Boston: MA. Pearson
Education.
Verhulst, N. O., Qiu, Y. T., Beijleveld, H., Maliepaard, C., Knights, D., Schulz, S., … &
Mumm, R. (2011). Composition of human skin microbiota affects attractiveness
to malaria mosquitoes. PloS one, 6(12), e28991.