Question

Select an organ/structure of the Integumentary System and describe its primary function.

Answer 1

INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM:

Integumentary system is a system in a body which consists of skin, nails and exocrine glands.

SKIN:

Skin is the organ of the integumentary system. It is the largest organ of the body.

Skin consists of mainly 3 layers:

EPIDERMIS: It is the outer layer of the skin in which the skin colour is determined by special cell called melanocytes.

DERMIS: Under epidermis it is called dermis. It contain hair follicle, connective tissue and sweat gland.

HYPODERMIS: It is of subcutaneous tissue fat and connective tissue.

->tlaiy Epi Demts Dermis >Sweat Gland Hyrodmink Newe Hair

PRIMARY FUNCTION OF SKIN:

Skin has three primary function.

1. Protection.

2. Regulation.

3. Sensation.

PROTECTION:

Skin acts as barrier and protects from temperature, pressure, radiation, sun burn, chemicals, micro organism and mechanical impacts.

REGULATION:

It regulates the most physiological function of the body includes body temperature.

Skin has major function in maintaining body temperature by sweat and fluid balance and by changing the peripheral circulation.

The reservoir of vitamin D is skin.

SENSATION:

skin have a nerve cell that detect the changes in environment. Skin carries the sensation via