BIOS 251 EXAM 3 PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ What type of epithelium makes up the epidermis? Answer: The
epidermis is made up of keratinized stratified epithelium.
◉ What are the accessory structures of the integumentary system?
Answer: The accessory structures include sweat glands, oil
(sebaceous) glands, hair, and nails.
◉ What are the primary functions of the skin? Answer: The primary
functions of the skin include protection, synthesis of Vitamin D,
sensation, thermoregulation, and nonverbal communication.
◉ What is the composition of the epidermis? Answer: The epidermis
is comprised of five cell types: keratinocytes, melanocytes,
Langerhans cells, Merkel cells, and the stratum corneum.
◉ What is the difference between thick skin and thin skin? Answer:
Thick skin is found on the palms and soles and contains the stratum
lucidum; thin skin is found elsewhere and does not contain this
layer.
,◉ What is the role of keratinocytes in the epidermis? Answer:
Keratinocytes make up 90% of epidermal cells and produce keratin,
which toughens and protects the skin.
◉ What do melanocytes do? Answer: Melanocytes produce melanin
pigment, which protects DNA from UV damage.
◉ What is the function of Langerhans cells? Answer: Langerhans
cells mount immune responses to microbes and are easily damaged
by UV light.
◉ What is the dermis composed of? Answer: The dermis is
composed of collagen, elastic, and reticular fibers, along with blood
vessels, nerve endings, and cutaneous glands.
◉ What are dermal papillae? Answer: Dermal papillae are
projections from the dermis that form grooves called epidermal
ridges, contributing to fingerprints.
◉ What are the two layers of the dermis? Answer: The two layers of
the dermis are the papillary layer (superficial) and the reticular
layer (deeper).
, ◉ What is the function of the subcutaneous layer (hypodermis)?
Answer: The subcutaneous layer connects the skin to underlying
fascia, provides insulation, and stores fat.
◉ What is the role of sweat glands in thermoregulation? Answer:
Sweat glands release sweat to cool the body through evaporation.
◉ What are the stages of hair growth? Answer: The stages of hair
growth are anagen (growth), catagen (transitional), and telogen
(resting).
◉ What are the components of hair? Answer: Hair consists of the
hair shaft (above skin), hair root (below skin), and hair bulb (end of
the root).
◉ What are the layers of hair? Answer: The layers of hair are the
medulla (inner), cortex (middle), and cuticle (outer).
◉ What is the function of nails? Answer: Nails function as tools for
grooming and protection for the ends of digits.
◉ What are eccrine sweat glands? Answer: Eccrine sweat glands are
the most abundant exocrine glands, found all over the body,
especially in palms and soles, and help cool the body.
CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ What type of epithelium makes up the epidermis? Answer: The
epidermis is made up of keratinized stratified epithelium.
◉ What are the accessory structures of the integumentary system?
Answer: The accessory structures include sweat glands, oil
(sebaceous) glands, hair, and nails.
◉ What are the primary functions of the skin? Answer: The primary
functions of the skin include protection, synthesis of Vitamin D,
sensation, thermoregulation, and nonverbal communication.
◉ What is the composition of the epidermis? Answer: The epidermis
is comprised of five cell types: keratinocytes, melanocytes,
Langerhans cells, Merkel cells, and the stratum corneum.
◉ What is the difference between thick skin and thin skin? Answer:
Thick skin is found on the palms and soles and contains the stratum
lucidum; thin skin is found elsewhere and does not contain this
layer.
,◉ What is the role of keratinocytes in the epidermis? Answer:
Keratinocytes make up 90% of epidermal cells and produce keratin,
which toughens and protects the skin.
◉ What do melanocytes do? Answer: Melanocytes produce melanin
pigment, which protects DNA from UV damage.
◉ What is the function of Langerhans cells? Answer: Langerhans
cells mount immune responses to microbes and are easily damaged
by UV light.
◉ What is the dermis composed of? Answer: The dermis is
composed of collagen, elastic, and reticular fibers, along with blood
vessels, nerve endings, and cutaneous glands.
◉ What are dermal papillae? Answer: Dermal papillae are
projections from the dermis that form grooves called epidermal
ridges, contributing to fingerprints.
◉ What are the two layers of the dermis? Answer: The two layers of
the dermis are the papillary layer (superficial) and the reticular
layer (deeper).
, ◉ What is the function of the subcutaneous layer (hypodermis)?
Answer: The subcutaneous layer connects the skin to underlying
fascia, provides insulation, and stores fat.
◉ What is the role of sweat glands in thermoregulation? Answer:
Sweat glands release sweat to cool the body through evaporation.
◉ What are the stages of hair growth? Answer: The stages of hair
growth are anagen (growth), catagen (transitional), and telogen
(resting).
◉ What are the components of hair? Answer: Hair consists of the
hair shaft (above skin), hair root (below skin), and hair bulb (end of
the root).
◉ What are the layers of hair? Answer: The layers of hair are the
medulla (inner), cortex (middle), and cuticle (outer).
◉ What is the function of nails? Answer: Nails function as tools for
grooming and protection for the ends of digits.
◉ What are eccrine sweat glands? Answer: Eccrine sweat glands are
the most abundant exocrine glands, found all over the body,
especially in palms and soles, and help cool the body.
