Integumentary system

High school (ages 12+)
Human Body

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/integumentary-system

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the key cellular components?Keratinocytes, melanocytes, Langerhans cells, Merkel cells, fibroblasts, adipocytes
2. What is the metabolic function?Synthesis of Vitamin D upon UVB exposure
3. What is the skin and why is it important?The skin is the outermost layer of the body that protects us from injury, keeps us warm, and lets us feel touch and temperature.
4. How does skin keep us warm and cool?Skin can widen or narrow blood vessels and produce sweat to help control body temperature, keeping us from getting too hot or too cold.

Epidermis: The outermost layer of the skin, primarily composed of keratinocytes and providing a protective barrier.
Dermis: The layer beneath the epidermis, containing blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and glands.
Homeostasis: The maintenance of a stable internal physiological environment despite external changes.
Melanocytes: Cells in the epidermis that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color and UV protection.