CCP Integumentary System Anatomy 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which layer of the epidermis contains cells that produce melanin?
- Stratum corneum
- Stratum granulosum
- Stratum basale (Correct answer)
- Stratum lucidum
Correct answer: Stratum basale
Melanocytes in the stratum basale (deepest epidermal layer) synthesize melanin, which gives skin its color.
Question 2: The protein that makes the outermost skin layer waterproof and resistant to abrasion is:
- Collagen
- Elastin
- Keratin (Correct answer)
- Melanin
Correct answer: Keratin
Keratin is a fibrous structural protein that waterproofs and toughens the stratum corneum.
Question 3: Which skin appendage is primarily responsible for thermoregulation through evaporative cooling?
- Sebaceous glands
- Eccrine sweat glands (Correct answer)
- Apocrine sweat glands
- Hair follicles
Correct answer: Eccrine sweat glands
Eccrine sweat glands secrete watery sweat over most of the body surface, cooling it through evaporation.
Question 4: The deepest layer of the dermis that connects it to underlying structures is the:
- Papillary layer
- Reticular layer (Correct answer)
- Subcutaneous layer
- Stratum basale
Correct answer: Reticular layer
The reticular layer is the deeper, thicker layer of the dermis composed of dense irregular connective tissue.
Question 5: Arrector pili muscles attach to which skin structure?
- Eccrine glands
- Hair follicles (Correct answer)
- Nail matrix
- Sebaceous ducts
Correct answer: Hair follicles
Arrector pili are small smooth muscles attached to hair follicles; their contraction causes hair to stand upright (goosebumps).
Question 6: Which cells in the epidermis are responsible for immune surveillance and detecting antigens?
- Keratinocytes
- Melanocytes
- Langerhans cells (Correct answer)
- Merkel cells
Correct answer: Langerhans cells
Langerhans cells are dendritic immune cells in the epidermis that capture antigens and present them to T lymphocytes.
Question 7: The hypodermis (subcutaneous layer) is primarily composed of which tissue type?
- Dense fibrous connective tissue
- Adipose tissue (Correct answer)
- Hyaline cartilage
- Stratified squamous epithelium
Correct answer: Adipose tissue
The hypodermis consists mainly of adipose (fat) tissue, which insulates the body and cushions deeper structures.
CCP Integumentary System Anatomy 2
Which layer of the epidermis contains cells that produce melanin?