Name: 

Course:  Technical Science Fundamentals of Chemistry Introductory Science General Science

1. Like your heart, liver or lungs, your skin is considered to be an  .

2.  What’s the difference between an organ and a tissue? 

Tissue: 

Organ: 

On a separate sheet of paper,  draw a cross section of the skin. (Include: epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous, fat cells, hair, hair follicle, sweat glands, dermal papilla, sebaceous glands, blood vessels)

3.  From your drawing, In what layer of the skin are the hair follicles?

The epidermis consists of a number of layers of cells.  Draw a diagram of the layers of the epidermis.  (Include: the malpighian layer which consists of three layers the basal, the spinous, and the granular.  Also include the stratum corneum.) Label the living and the dead layers.

4.       From your drawing which layer is closest to the dermis?

5.       What protein is found in the stratum corneum?  What is its purpose?  

Protein: 

Purpose: 

6.       What are melanocytes?  What substance do they produce?    What layer of the skin would you find them?

Melanocytes: 

Substance: 

Layer: 

7.  What type of sunlight is responsible for giving us a tan?

8.  Number the following steps to explain how a Caucasian gets a tan?

  Melanin Darkens Skin

  UV Light Stimulates Melanocytes

  Melanin is Produced

  Melanin Protects Skin from Further Damage

9.  Because of the action of your pituitary gland you can start on a tan without exposing your skin to sunlight. How does this work?

10.  Melanocytes can produce two types of pigment.  What are their names and what are their colors?

Pigment 1:       Color: 

Pigment 2:       Color: 

11.  A sunburn is cellular damage caused by ultraviolet light.  Specifically what part of the cell is being damaged?

Read the article "Lights Out on Suntans" by clicking the link below.  Article

12.  This article suggests that indoor tanning is no safer than tanning outside.  

Do you agree or disagree?          Explain?

Access the site:    Our Skin Has an SOS Response  This article is somewhat more difficult to read.  Take it slow and use the questions below as a reading guide.

13.  What are the three types of skin cancer?  

14.  Basal cell and Squamal cell carcinoma usually occur on what part of the body and are associated with what type of sun exposure?

Body Part:       Exposure:   

15.  Melanomas

Body Part:       Exposure:   

16.  Number the following statements to show how the two different types of skin cancer develop.

Basal and Squamal Skin Cancer

  UV light damages Keratinocytes

  Subsequent exposures cause less damage but not all damaged cells are repaired or die

  Some damaged cells become cancerous.

  Fairly small dose of ultraviolet light

  DNA of damaged cells is repaired and skin begins to tan.

  Most damaged cells go through preprogrammed death.   Cells with less damage begin SOS process.

Melanoma

  Damaged melanocytes don’t die off as easily and aren’t completely repaired.

  Melanoma type skin cancer develops

  DNA of melanocytes is damaged

  Fairly high dose of ultraviolet light

  Damaged melanocytes continue to divide

17.  You know that a sunburn is the result of cell (DNA) damage from ultraviolet light.  A tan is also the result of exposure to ultraviolet light.  This article states that a tan, just like a sunburn, is the result of DNA damage.  So, according to the researchers, does getting a tan protect your skin?  Explain your answer.