Intergumentary System

Organisms are composed of atoms that form molecules which form macromolecules (Shier, Butler, & Lewis, 2009). These molecules join and form organelles which structure cell that for tissues (p.3). Tissues form organs and the organs working together form organ system (p3). These organ systems make up the organism (p3). Each organ system has an important function in the body. These systems all work together in order to keep and support the conditions that the cells, tissues, and organs need to function properly. There is one system that is not as well known as other; it is the intergumentary system. Most people know the organs of the intergumentary system, but they do not know that these organs work together to form this system.

The intergumentary system is composed of the skin and the structures related to the skin, which include the hair, the finger nails, the sensory receptors and the glands (Shier, Butler, & Lewis, 2009). This system has an important function since it provides protection to the body, helps to maintain body temperature, and contains sensory receptors (p.117). The skin which is the largest organ in the body and an organ of the intergumentary system has essential function such as regulating homeostasis and body temperature, also delaying the loss of water from deeper tissues, storing sensory receptor, synthesizing biomechanical, and discharging waste from the body (p.117). The skin has two layers: the epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (inner layer) (p.117).

There is also a subcutaneous layer or hypodermis (Shier, Butler, & Lewis, 2009). According to Shier, Butler, and Lewis 2009 “as its name indicates, this layer is beneath the skin and not a true layer of the skin.” This layer has the blood vessels that su...

... middle of paper ...

...se glands help to balance the body temperature (p.124). The fluid that this eccrine glands secret is transported outside of the body by a tube that has an opening to the exterior as a pore (p.124). Another sweat gland is the apocrine gland which is activated at puberty. According to Shier, Butler, and Lewis 2009 “these glands secrete by the same mechanism as eccrine glands, usually when a person is emotionally upset, frightened, in pain, or during sexual arousal.” Other sweat glands are seruminous glands which secret, and the female mammary glands which secrete milk (p.124).

The nails which are another accessory of the skin cover and give protection to the end of fingers and toes (Shier, Butler, & Lewis, 2009). The nails have a lunula which is the area of growth in the nail (p.122). This means that if the lunula is damaged the nail probably will not growth again.