Question 1

Redness of the skin can result from all of the following except:
A) the inflammatory response
B) anger or blushing
C) exposure to heat
D) exposure to cold
E) all of the circumstances listed are correct answers.

Accepted Answer

Exposure to cold causes vasoconstriction, which reduces blood flow to the skin and can lead to pallor, rather than redness.

Question 2

When exposed to the cold, the ears and nose may appear red. This is because
A) blood vessels in the nose and ears have constricted to conserve heat.
B) cyanosis occurs when blood flow slows down.
C) the nose and ears have a thicker, more keratinized stratum corneum than the rest of the face.
D) cold causes an inflammatory reaction in the nose and ears.
E) blood vessels dilate to prevent tissue damage from the cold.

Accepted Answer

When exposed to cold, the body initially constricts blood vessels to conserve heat. However, if the exposure continues, it can lead to a compensatory dilation of blood vessels in extremities like the ears and nose. This dilation is a protective mechanism to prevent tissue damage from the cold, which can cause the ears and nose to appear red.

Question 3

Fingerprints and footprints are produced by dermal projections into the epidermis called
A) striae.
B) cleavage lines.
C) papillae.
D) reticular lines.
E) subcutaneous tissue.

Accepted Answer

Fingerprints and footprints are produced by papillae, which are dermal projections into the epidermis.

Question 4

The nail grows from the
A) nail body.
B) nail matrix.
C) eponychium.
D) lunula.
E) stratum corneum.

Accepted Answer

The nail matrix is responsible for producing new nail cells, which then harden and push forward, forming the visible nail. The other options listed are all parts of the nail structure but do not actually produce new nail cells.

Question 5

Which of the following functions of the integumentary system is NOT correctly matched with an example?
A) sensation - pain, heat, cold, and pressure receptors in the skin
B) temperature regulation - radiation and convection of heat from blood flowing in the dermis
C) excretion - hydrogen ions are moved from the skin into the urine
D) vitamin D production - active vitamin D is produced from a precursor molecule
E) All of these are correctly matched.

Accepted Answer

Excretion is the process of eliminating waste products from the body, and while the skin does excrete some substances such as sweat and small amounts of waste products, it does not excrete hydrogen ions into the urine. That is primarily done by the kidneys.

Question 6

Which of the following statements about glands of the skin is true?
A) Sebaceous glands produce an oily white substance rich in lipids.
B) Sebum is important in cooling the body.
C) Eccrine sweat glands become active at puberty because of the influence of sex hormones.
D) Eccrine sweat glands produce a thick secretion rich in organic substances.
E) All of these are true.

Accepted Answer

Sebaceous glands produce sebum which is an oily and white substance containing lipids such as triglycerides, wax esters, and squalene. Sebum helps to lubricate and waterproof the skin, but it is not involved in cooling the body. Eccrine sweat glands are active from birth and do not become active at puberty, and they produce a thin and watery secretion consisting of mostly water, electrolytes, and a small amount of organic substances.

Question 7

The lunula is part of the
A) nail body.
B) eponychium.
C) nail matrix.
D) stratum corneum.
E) nail root.

Accepted Answer

The lunula is the visible part of the nail matrix, which is the tissue under the nail that it grows from.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of aging of the integumentary system?
A) loss of elastic fibers in the skin
B) increase in activity of sweat and sebaceous glands
C) decreased number of melanocytes
D) loss of pigment in hair
E) skin becomes thinner and more transparent

Accepted Answer

As the integumentary system ages, the activity of sweat and sebaceous glands actually decreases. Therefore, B is the only characteristic that is not associated with aging of the integumentary system.

Question 9

Hair color
A) is determined by the varying amounts and types of melanin.
B) can fade with age.
C) is produced by the melanocytes in the hair bulb.
D) all of the above.
E) None of these is correct.

Accepted Answer

Hair color is determined by the varying amounts and types of melanin, which can fade with age, and is produced by the melanocytes in the hair bulb.

Question 10

Which of the following statements is FALSE?
A) Nails grow continually and do not have a resting stage.
B) The nail consists of layers of living cells from the stratum corneum.
C) The cells of a nail are filled with a special hard type of keratin.
D) The nail matrix and nail bed have a stratum basale.
E) The production of cells within the nail matrix results in the growth of the nail.

Accepted Answer

The nail consists of layers of dead cells from the stratum corneum, not living cells.

Question 11

Racial variations in skin color are determined by:
A) the number of melanocytes
B) the amount and type of melanin produced
C) the distribution and deposition of melanin
D) all of the these
E) the amount and type of melanin produced and the distribution and deposition of melanin

Accepted Answer

Racial variations in skin color are determined by both the amount and type of melanin produced as well as the distribution and deposition of melanin. Different amounts and types of melanin are produced by melanocytes in response to different stimuli such as UV radiation, hormones, and genetics. The distribution and deposition of melanin within the skin also affects skin color, as melanin can be concentrated near the surface or spread throughout the layers of skin. Therefore, both factors play a role in determining skin color differences between individuals of different races.

Question 12

Melanin
A) is a pigment produced by cells in the stratum corneum.
B) is produced by melanocytes.
C) is responsible for cyanosis.
D) is responsible for birthmarks.
E) is all of these.

Accepted Answer

Melanin is a pigment produced by specialized cells called melanocytes, which are located in the basal layer of the epidermis.

Question 13

Which of the following conditions is incorrectly paired with its symptoms
A) Vitamin A deficiency - excess keratin deposits in skin leading to sand paper-like texture
B) iron deficiency anemia - nails become flat or concave (spoon-like)
C) psoriasis - fungal infection causing circular scaly lesions
D) cyanosis - bluish color of skin resulting from decreased blood oxygen content
E) acne - inflammation of hair follicles and sebaceous glands

Accepted Answer

Psoriasis is not caused by a fungal infection, but rather an overactive immune system. Circular scaly lesions are a common symptom of psoriasis, but not caused by a fungal infection.

Question 14

Vitamin D
A) stimulates calcium and phosphate uptake in the small intestine.
B) is formed from a precursor molecule that is made when skin is exposed to ultraviolet light.
C) is formed from a precursor molecule that is modified in the liver and kidneys.
D) may be required in the diet if a person is exposed to very little ultraviolet light.
E) has all of these properties.

Accepted Answer

Vitamin D stimulates calcium and phosphate uptake in the small intestine, is formed from a precursor molecule (7-dehydrocholesterol) that is made when skin is exposed to ultraviolet light, and is modified in the liver and kidneys. It may also be required in the diet if a person is exposed to very little ultraviolet light.

Question 15

A hair is formed or made by cells within the
A) hair shaft.
B) hair root.
C) arrector pili.
D) cuticle.
E) hair bulb.

Accepted Answer

Hair is formed by cells within the hair bulb, which is located at the base of the hair follicle. As these cells divide and grow, they form the hair shaft that emerges from the skin surface.

Question 16

The hypodermis
A) is also called subcutaneous tissue.
B) is loose connective tissue that attaches the skin to underlying bone and muscle.
C) is important for padding and insulation.
D) contains about half of the body's stored fat.
E) has all of these characteristics.

Accepted Answer

The hypodermis is also called subcutaneous tissue, is made up of loose connective tissue that attaches the skin to underlying bone and muscle, is important for padding and insulation, and contains about half of the body's stored fat.

Question 17

A burn is an injury to a tissue caused by:
A) exposure to excess heat
B) exposure to excess cold
C) friction
D) exposure to chemicals
E) all of these

Accepted Answer

All of these options can cause burns.

Question 18

One type of experimental contraceptive device is a skin patch that contains a chemical absorbed through the skin. Which of the following substances would most likely be the type of chemical involved?
A) a protein
B) substances dissolved in water
C) a steroid
D) a carbohydrate
E) either a protein or a carbohydrate or both together

Accepted Answer

Steroids, specifically progestin or a combination of progestin and estrogen, are commonly used in contraceptive skin patches as they can prevent ovulation and thicken cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to travel. Proteins and carbohydrates would not be suitable for absorption through the skin for contraceptive purposes, and substances dissolved in water may not be absorbed well enough to provide effective contraception.

Question 19

The stratum corneum of the epidermis
A) consists of continuously dividing cells.
B) can become thickened and form a structure called a callus or corn.
C) has cells that are continuously moving toward the stratum basale.
D) has cells that synthesize melanin.
E) has all of these characteristics.

Accepted Answer

The stratum corneum of the epidermis can become thickened and form a structure called a callus or corn. The other options are incorrect: A) The stratum corneum consists of dead, flattened cells that have lost their nuclei and organelles, so they are not continuously dividing. C) Cells in the stratum corneum are not moving; they are already at the surface of the skin. D) Melanin is synthesized by melanocytes in the stratum basale, not in the stratum corneum.

Question 20

Paul is on the newest diet craze. After a couple of weeks of eating only carrots and carrot based products, he begins to notice that his skin has a decidedly yellowish tint. This is because
A) excess carotene from his diet has accumulated in the lipids of the stratum corneum.
B) liver damage has occurred, and bile pigments are building up.
C) excess melanin from his diet has accumulated in the lipids of the dermis.
D) he has recently been exposed to a lot of ultraviolet light.
E) his change in diet has nothing to due with the yellowish tint. It is just a natural change due to aging.

Accepted Answer

Carrots and other orange and yellow vegetables contain high levels of carotene, which can accumulate in the skin's top layer (the stratum corneum) and give it a yellowish tint. This is not harmful and will go away when Paul stops consuming so many carotene-rich foods. Liver damage or excess melanin would not be the cause of the yellowish tint in this case. Ultraviolet light exposure can lead to skin darkening, but this was not mentioned as a factor in the scenario. Aging can cause skin changes, but it would not explain the sudden appearance of a yellowish tint.

Quiz 5: Integumentary System

Redness of the skin can result from all of the following except:

When exposed to the cold, the ears and nose may appear red. This is because

Fingerprints and footprints are produced by dermal projections into the epidermis called

The nail grows from the

Which of the following functions of the integumentary system is NOT correctly matched with an example?

Which of the following statements about glands of the skin is true?

The lunula is part of the

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of aging of the integumentary system?

Hair color

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

Racial variations in skin color are determined by:

Melanin

Which of the following conditions is incorrectly paired with its symptoms

Vitamin D

A hair is formed or made by cells within the

The hypodermis

A burn is an injury to a tissue caused by:

One type of experimental contraceptive device is a skin patch that contains a chemical absorbed through the skin. Which of the following substances would most likely be the type of chemical involved?

The stratum corneum of the epidermis

Paul is on the newest diet craze. After a couple of weeks of eating only carrots and carrot based products, he begins to notice that his skin has a decidedly yellowish tint. This is because