MA 200 Study Outline #2 UPDATED
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
What are the two layers that make up the skin? Define them. - CORRECT ANSWER -
The outer layer is the epidermis, and the inner layer is the dermis.
What are melanocytes? - CORRECT ANSWER - are specialized epithelial cells that
produce a dark pigment called melanin, which is primarily responsible for skin color.
What is embedded in the dermis? - CORRECT ANSWER - Hair, nails, and certain glands
(although derived from the stratum basale of the epidermis)
What are sensory receptors? - CORRECT ANSWER - detect changes in the environment,
such as heat, cold, pain, pressure, and touch. Because there are no nerves in the epidermis, these
receptors are the body's contact with the environment.
What distinct patterns are contained in the papillae? - CORRECT ANSWER - On the
palms, the fingertips, and the soles of the feet, the papillae form distinct patterns or ridges that
provide friction for grasping objects. The patterns are genetically determined and are unique for
each individual. These are the basis of fingerprints and footprints.
What is the subcutaneous layer of the skin? - CORRECT ANSWER - is not actually a part
of the skin, but it loosely anchors the skin to underlying organs.
What gives the skin its color? - CORRECT ANSWER - some genetic, some physiologic,
and some environmental. Basic skin color is caused by the dark pigment melanin, produced by
the melanocytes in the stratum basale of the epidermis.
What causes the yellow tint in the skin? - CORRECT ANSWER - pigment CAROTENE
in addition to melanin.
,What affect does ultraviolet light have on melanocytic activity? - CORRECT ANSWER -
increases melanocyte activity so that more melanin is produced and the skin becomes darker or
tanned.
What is the shaft? - CORRECT ANSWER - portion that extends beyond the surface of the
epidermis. It is the part that you can see.
What is the root? - CORRECT ANSWER - is the portion of the hair that is below the
surface of the skin. It is surrounded by a hair follicle.
What is the cuticle? - CORRECT ANSWER - The outermost covering on a hair is a single
layer of overlapping, keratinized cells
Describe the nail, along with its parts. - CORRECT ANSWER - are thin plates of dead
stratum corneum that contain a very hard type of keratin and cover the dorsal surfaces of the
distal ends of the fingers and toes.
Each has a free edge; a nail body, which is the visible portion; and a nail root, which is covered
with skin.
What are sebaceous glands? - CORRECT ANSWER - An oil gland of the skin that
produces sebum or body oil.
are associated with hair follicles and are found in all areas of the body that have hair
What is sebum? What is its function? - CORRECT ANSWER - Is an oily secretion and is
functions is to keep hair and skin soft and pliable.
What are sweat (sudoriferous) glands? - CORRECT ANSWER - are widely distributed
over the body.
, Where are sweat glands most numerous? - CORRECT ANSWER - the palms and soles.
What is a sweat pore? What is its function? - CORRECT ANSWER - sweat gland is a
coiled tube that is embedded in the dermis of the skin, and the duct opens onto the surface of the
skin through a sweat pore
When the body's temperature increases, the glands are stimulated to produce sweat, which
evaporates and has a cooling effect.
What is cerumen and what is its purpose? - CORRECT ANSWER - They secrete an oily,
sticky substance aka earwax
that is thought to repel insects and trap foreign material.
What is the body's response to an increase in body temperature? - CORRECT ANSWER -
The skin helps to regulate body temperature in two ways: by dilation and constriction of blood
vessels, and by activity or inactivity of the sweat glands.
What is the body's response to an decrease in body temperature? - CORRECT ANSWER -
blood vessels constrict and sweat glands are inactive to conserve body heat. The adipose tissue in
the subcutaneous layer also helps by acting as an insulator.
Why is vitamin D so important to the body, what relies on it? - CORRECT ANSWER - is
required for calcium and phosphorus absorption in the small intestine. The calcium and
phosphorus are essential for normal bone metabolism and muscle function.
acr/o - CORRECT ANSWER - extremities
cutane/o - CORRECT ANSWER - skin
derm/o - CORRECT ANSWER - skin
ACTUAL Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
What are the two layers that make up the skin? Define them. - CORRECT ANSWER -
The outer layer is the epidermis, and the inner layer is the dermis.
What are melanocytes? - CORRECT ANSWER - are specialized epithelial cells that
produce a dark pigment called melanin, which is primarily responsible for skin color.
What is embedded in the dermis? - CORRECT ANSWER - Hair, nails, and certain glands
(although derived from the stratum basale of the epidermis)
What are sensory receptors? - CORRECT ANSWER - detect changes in the environment,
such as heat, cold, pain, pressure, and touch. Because there are no nerves in the epidermis, these
receptors are the body's contact with the environment.
What distinct patterns are contained in the papillae? - CORRECT ANSWER - On the
palms, the fingertips, and the soles of the feet, the papillae form distinct patterns or ridges that
provide friction for grasping objects. The patterns are genetically determined and are unique for
each individual. These are the basis of fingerprints and footprints.
What is the subcutaneous layer of the skin? - CORRECT ANSWER - is not actually a part
of the skin, but it loosely anchors the skin to underlying organs.
What gives the skin its color? - CORRECT ANSWER - some genetic, some physiologic,
and some environmental. Basic skin color is caused by the dark pigment melanin, produced by
the melanocytes in the stratum basale of the epidermis.
What causes the yellow tint in the skin? - CORRECT ANSWER - pigment CAROTENE
in addition to melanin.
,What affect does ultraviolet light have on melanocytic activity? - CORRECT ANSWER -
increases melanocyte activity so that more melanin is produced and the skin becomes darker or
tanned.
What is the shaft? - CORRECT ANSWER - portion that extends beyond the surface of the
epidermis. It is the part that you can see.
What is the root? - CORRECT ANSWER - is the portion of the hair that is below the
surface of the skin. It is surrounded by a hair follicle.
What is the cuticle? - CORRECT ANSWER - The outermost covering on a hair is a single
layer of overlapping, keratinized cells
Describe the nail, along with its parts. - CORRECT ANSWER - are thin plates of dead
stratum corneum that contain a very hard type of keratin and cover the dorsal surfaces of the
distal ends of the fingers and toes.
Each has a free edge; a nail body, which is the visible portion; and a nail root, which is covered
with skin.
What are sebaceous glands? - CORRECT ANSWER - An oil gland of the skin that
produces sebum or body oil.
are associated with hair follicles and are found in all areas of the body that have hair
What is sebum? What is its function? - CORRECT ANSWER - Is an oily secretion and is
functions is to keep hair and skin soft and pliable.
What are sweat (sudoriferous) glands? - CORRECT ANSWER - are widely distributed
over the body.
, Where are sweat glands most numerous? - CORRECT ANSWER - the palms and soles.
What is a sweat pore? What is its function? - CORRECT ANSWER - sweat gland is a
coiled tube that is embedded in the dermis of the skin, and the duct opens onto the surface of the
skin through a sweat pore
When the body's temperature increases, the glands are stimulated to produce sweat, which
evaporates and has a cooling effect.
What is cerumen and what is its purpose? - CORRECT ANSWER - They secrete an oily,
sticky substance aka earwax
that is thought to repel insects and trap foreign material.
What is the body's response to an increase in body temperature? - CORRECT ANSWER -
The skin helps to regulate body temperature in two ways: by dilation and constriction of blood
vessels, and by activity or inactivity of the sweat glands.
What is the body's response to an decrease in body temperature? - CORRECT ANSWER -
blood vessels constrict and sweat glands are inactive to conserve body heat. The adipose tissue in
the subcutaneous layer also helps by acting as an insulator.
Why is vitamin D so important to the body, what relies on it? - CORRECT ANSWER - is
required for calcium and phosphorus absorption in the small intestine. The calcium and
phosphorus are essential for normal bone metabolism and muscle function.
acr/o - CORRECT ANSWER - extremities
cutane/o - CORRECT ANSWER - skin
derm/o - CORRECT ANSWER - skin
