The Integument: Lab Packet
PART 1
Step 1: Fill in the blanks of the following sentence using the word
list provided below:
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dermis
nails
dermatology
glands
hair
hypodermis
epidermis
The integumentary system consists of the skin, and its accessory organs
( ____________________, _______________, and _______________ ). The
skin has two major layers:___________________ & ___________________.
The subcutaneous region of the skin is called ____________________. The study of
the integumentary system is called _____________________.
Step 2: Layers of the Skin
Label the diagram on the following page with each of the structures in the table below.
Hypodermis
Deepest layer of the skin; primarily
composed of adipose tissue
Arrector Pili Muscle
muscle that gives you goose bumps
Sebaceous Gland
associated with hair follicles hair follicle
cells that surround and give rise to hair
Sudoriferous (Sweat) Gland
coiled gland sometimes associated with
hair follicles, but not always
Epidermis
Most superficial layer of skin
Dermis
Medial layer of skin
Cutaneous Blood Vessels
deliver O2 and nutrients to cells of dermis
and epidermis
Dermal Papillae
Part of the dermis that causes ridges in
the epidermis (fingerprints)
Hair Follicle
Where epidermal cells are keratinized
(hardened) and turned into hair
Adipose Tissue
Fatty insulation
Step 3: Structure and function of the skin
1. Describe three ways in which the structure of the skin (and its accessory organs) is
suited to the FUNCTION of protection.
2. Describe two ways in which the skin carries out the function of thermoregulation.
Step 4: Terminology related to integumentary system
Examine the following table of roots, prefixes and suffixes used in the integumentary
system. Meanings are in italics. Then practice your terminology by matching the terms
with the correct descriptions below.
● outer layer of the skin
● cell that produces the tough protein found in
skin, hair, and nails
● cell that produces the pigment responsible for
skin color
● smooth muscle that makes hair stand erect
● oil producing gland
● cell with long branches involved in protection
against pathogens
● sweat producing gland
● gland that secretes parts of a cell that have
been “pinched off”
● gland that secretes parts of a cell
● touch receptor
● gland that secretes entire cells layer of tissue that lies below the skin
● this layer makes up the major part of the skin
PART 2
Calipers
Calipers are used to test the sensitivity of nerve receptors in various parts of the body. Fingertips
are the ​most sensitive because nerve receptors are plentiful and arranged close together.
However, other body parts are less sensitive because touch receptors are minimal and arranged
far apart from one another. You will be testing different areas of the body to determine nerve
receptor sensitivity.
Step 1: ​Make your caliper.
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Find an index card
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Edge 1: make two marks, 1mm apart, and tape one toothpick on each mark
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Edge 2: make two marks, 2mm apart, and tape one toothpick on each mark
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Edge 3: make two marks, 3mm apart, and tape one toothpick on each mark
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Edge 4: make two marks, 4mm apart, and tape one toothpick on each mark
Step 2:​ Use the caliper to determine sensitivity and distance of nerve receptors on the areas of
the body listed in the table. To use the caliber, have your partner look away and gently poke the
area of the body with the caliber, starting with the 1mm side. Record if your partner can feel the
poke, and how many pokes they felt. Repeat with 2-4mm for each area of the body.
1mm
Fingertip
Forearm
Back of the neck
2mm
3mm
4mm
Your choice
Questions:
1. What layer of the integument are nerves found in?
2. On which body part were you able to feel the most pokes at the lowest amount of
milimeters apart?
3. Why do you think you were able to feel 2 pokes at a lower amount of milimeters apart on
some areas of the body, but not others?
PART 3
Ice Bucket Challenge
Your goal is to keep your hand submerged in the bucket of ice water for as long as possible.
Step 1: ​Predict how long you can hold your hand in the bucket of ice water before you are in so
much pain that you have to remove it.
Step 2:​ Based on what you know about the integumentary system, how long do you think you
will be able to hold your hand in the same bucket of ice water, if you add a layer of fat to your
hand, before you are in so much pain that you have to remove it?
Step 3: ​Submerge your hand in the bucket of ice water and have a partner time it. Record your
result.
Step 4: ​Insert your hand into a produce bag, and then insert your covered hand into the bag of
lard. Then insert your insulated hand into the bucket of ice water. Have a partner time how long
you can keep your hand submerged. Record your result.
Prediction of Step 1
Prediction of Step 2
Result of Step 3
Result of Step 4
Questions:
1. What part of the integumentary system stores adipose tissue (fatty tissue)?
2. Why were you able to hold your hand in the ice water longer with the lard covering your
hand?
3. What evolutionary advantages might be afforded to those who store more adipose tissue
than others?
PART 4:
Fingerprinting - Pencil Smudge
On a separate sheet of paper, make a pencil smudge. Rub your right thumb in the smudge. Gently press
transparent tape over your right thumb, and then gently remove the tape. Place the tape in the
appropriate box below. Repeat the procedure with the rest of your fingers. Label your prints arch, loop, or
whorl, or mixed.
Right Hand
Thumb
Pointer
Middle
Ring
Pinkie
Left Hand
Thumb
Pointer
Middle
Ring
Pinkie
Fingerprint Patterns
· arch patterns have lines that start at one side of the print and then move toward the center of the print
and leave on the other side of the print
· whorl patterns have a lot of circles that do not exit on either side of the print
· loop patterns have lines that start at one side of the print and then move toward the center of the print
and leave on the same side of the print they started on
Questions:
1.
In what layer of the integument are fingerprints formed?
2. Specifically, what anatomical part of the integument causes the formation of fingerprints?
3. What are 3 reasons why someone could not have fingerprints?