Section 5.1: Skin
5.1 Essential Questions: The Skin
1.What are the functions of skin?
The skin is the first line of defense against pathogens, helps balance water levels in the body, and keep the organs protected.
2.What types of tissue make up the layers of the skin?
The epidermis, dermis, and subsequent subcutaneous layer of fat are composed of connective tissue.
3.What role do accessory organs such as sweat glands and sebaceous glands play in the skin?
Sweat glands secrete sweat, which helps to expel water from the body and also to maintain a healthy body temperature. Sebaceous glands secrete oils to help moisturize the skin.
4.What happens to skin as it is exposed to sunlight and as a person ages?
As it is exposed to sunlight, the melanocytes in the skin secrete more melanin in order to protect the skin from intense sun light. As a person ages, their sebaceous glands produce fewer oils and the skin is dry more consistently and begins to sag and form wrinkles.
5.Which layers of the skin are damaged in different types of burns?
1st degree: Epidermis
2nd degree: Epidermis + Some of the Dermis
3rd degree: Epidermis + All of Dermis + Some fat
4th degree: Epidermis +Dermis + Muscle + Possibly bone
6.How does burn damage in the skin affect other functions in the body?
The cardiovascular system is affected because some fluids leak from blood vessels in order to form a blister to aid the healing process of the burned skin.
7.How do medical professionals in different fields assist with burn care and rehabilitation?
Dermatologists directly help with the rehabilitation of the skin and bringing it back to the state it was originally in. Physical Therapists help a patient adjust to a new lifestyle assuming the the patient had lost a limb. Psychologists assist patients with their mental state if they suffered a tragic event.
8.What role does pain play in the human body?
It draws attention to a certain area of the body that is affected by some sort of damage, and helps you know whether or not you need to seek out treatment.
9.How does the body interpret and process pain?
The brain processes pain in all regions of the brain so that the brain is not overwhelmed by a huge surge of information. The pain signal is also vital to telling the body to begin the healing process.
10.Why would the inability to feel pain actually put the human body in danger?
Without a pain signal letting the body know that damage could be occurring, the body could continue with an activity that is causing damage.
1.What are the functions of skin?
The skin is the first line of defense against pathogens, helps balance water levels in the body, and keep the organs protected.
2.What types of tissue make up the layers of the skin?
The epidermis, dermis, and subsequent subcutaneous layer of fat are composed of connective tissue.
3.What role do accessory organs such as sweat glands and sebaceous glands play in the skin?
Sweat glands secrete sweat, which helps to expel water from the body and also to maintain a healthy body temperature. Sebaceous glands secrete oils to help moisturize the skin.
4.What happens to skin as it is exposed to sunlight and as a person ages?
As it is exposed to sunlight, the melanocytes in the skin secrete more melanin in order to protect the skin from intense sun light. As a person ages, their sebaceous glands produce fewer oils and the skin is dry more consistently and begins to sag and form wrinkles.
5.Which layers of the skin are damaged in different types of burns?
1st degree: Epidermis
2nd degree: Epidermis + Some of the Dermis
3rd degree: Epidermis + All of Dermis + Some fat
4th degree: Epidermis +Dermis + Muscle + Possibly bone
6.How does burn damage in the skin affect other functions in the body?
The cardiovascular system is affected because some fluids leak from blood vessels in order to form a blister to aid the healing process of the burned skin.
7.How do medical professionals in different fields assist with burn care and rehabilitation?
Dermatologists directly help with the rehabilitation of the skin and bringing it back to the state it was originally in. Physical Therapists help a patient adjust to a new lifestyle assuming the the patient had lost a limb. Psychologists assist patients with their mental state if they suffered a tragic event.
8.What role does pain play in the human body?
It draws attention to a certain area of the body that is affected by some sort of damage, and helps you know whether or not you need to seek out treatment.
9.How does the body interpret and process pain?
The brain processes pain in all regions of the brain so that the brain is not overwhelmed by a huge surge of information. The pain signal is also vital to telling the body to begin the healing process.
10.Why would the inability to feel pain actually put the human body in danger?
Without a pain signal letting the body know that damage could be occurring, the body could continue with an activity that is causing damage.