Created by CK-12 Foundation/Adapted by Christine Miller

Figure 15.5.1 shows some of the cells of what has been called “the last human organ to be discovered.” This “organ” weighs about 200 grams (about 7 oz) and consists of a hundred trillion cells, yet scientists are only now beginning to learn everything it does and how it varies among individuals. What is it? It’s the mass of bacteria that live in our lower gastrointestinal tract.

Most of the bacteria that normally live in the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract live in the large intestine. They have important and mutually beneficial relationships with the human organism. We provide them with a great place to live, and they provide us with many benefits, some of which you can read about below. Besides the large intestine and its complement of helpful bacteria, the lower GI tract also includes the small intestine. The latter is arguably the most important organ of the digestive system. It is where most chemical digestion and virtually all absorption of nutrients take place.

The small intestine (also called the small bowel or gut) is the part of the GI tract between the stomach and large intestine. Its average length in adults is 4.6 m in females and 6.9 m in males. It is approximately 2.5 to 3.0 cm in diameter. It is called “small” because it is much smaller in diameter than the large intestine. The internal surface area of the small intestine totals an average of about 30 m². Structurally and functionally, the small intestine can be divided into three parts, called the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, as shown in Figure 15.5.2 and described below.

The mucosa lining the small intestine is highly enfolded and covered with the finger-like projections called villi. In fact, each square inch (about 6.5 cm²) of mucosa contains around 20 thousand villi. The individual cells on the surface of the villi also have many finger-like projections — the microvilli, shown in Figure 15.5.3. There are thought to be well over 17 billion microvilli per square centimetre of intestinal mucosa! All of these folds, villi, and microvilli greatly increase the surface area for chyme to come into contact with digestive enzymes, which coat the microvilli, as well as forming a tremendous surface area for the absorption of nutrients. Inside each of the villi is a network of tiny blood and lymph vessels that receive the absorbed nutrients and carry them away in the blood or lymph circulation. The wrinkles and projections in the intestinal mucosa also slow down the passage of chyme so there is more time for digestion and absorption to take place.

Duodenum

The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine, directly connected to the stomach. It is also the shortest part of the small intestine, averaging only about 25 cm (almost 10 in) in length in adults. Its main function is chemical digestion, and it is where most of the chemical digestion in the entire GI tract takes place.

The duodenum receives partially digested, semi-liquid chyme from the stomach. It receives digestive enzymes and alkaline bicarbonate from the pancreas through the pancreatic duct, and it receives bile from the liver via the gallbladder through the common bile duct (see Figure 15.5.4). In addition, the lining of the duodenum secretes digestive enzymes and contains glands — called Brunner’s glands — that secrete mucous and bicarbonate. The bicarbonate from the pancreas and Brunner’s glands — along with bile from the liver — neutralize the highly acidic chyme after it enters the duodenum from the stomach. This is necessary because the digestive enzymes in the duodenum require a nearly neutral environment in order to work. The three major classes of compounds that undergo chemical digestion in the duodenum are carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.

Digestion of Carbohydrates in the Duodenum

Complex carbohydrates (such as starches) are broken down by the digestive enzyme amylase from the pancreas to short-chain molecules consisting of just a few saccharides (that is, simple sugars). Disaccharides, including sucrose and lactose, are broken down to simple sugars by duodenal enzymes. Sucrase breaks down sucrose, and lactase (if present) breaks down lactose. Some carbohydrates are not digested in the duodenum, and they ultimately pass undigested to the large intestine, where they may be digested by intestinal bacteria.

Digestion of Proteins in the Duodenum

In the duodenum, the pancreatic enzymes trypsin and chymotrypsin cleave proteins into peptides. Then, these smaller molecules are broken down into amino acids. Their digestion is catalyzed by pancreatic enzymes called peptidases.

Digestion of Lipids in the Duodenum

Pancreatic lipase breaks down triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol. Lipase works with the help of bile secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile salts attach to triglycerides to help them emulsify, or form smaller particles (called micelles) that can disperse through the watery contents of the duodenum. This increases access to the molecules by pancreatic lipase.

Jejunum

The jejunum is the middle part of the small intestine, connecting the duodenum and the ileum. The jejunum is about 2.5 m (about 8 ft) long. Its main function is absorption of the products of digestion, including sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids. Absorption occurs by simple diffusion (water and fatty acids), facilitated diffusion (the simple sugar fructose), or active transport (amino acids, small peptides, water-soluble vitamins, and most glucose). All nutrients are absorbed into the blood, except for fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins, which are absorbed into the lymph. Although most nutrients are absorbed in the jejunum, there are a few exceptions:

• Iron is absorbed in the duodenum.
• Vitamin B12 and bile salts are absorbed in the ileum.
• Water and lipids are absorbed throughout the small intestine, including the duodenum and ileum in addition to the jejunum.

Ileum

The ileum is the third and final part of the small intestine, directly connected at its distal end to the large intestine. The ileum is about 3 m (almost 10 ft) long. Some cells in the lining of the ileum secrete enzymes that catalyze the final stages of digestion of any undigested protein and carbohydrate molecules. However, the main function of the ileum is to absorb vitamin B12 and bile salts. It also absorbs any other remaining nutrients that were not absorbed in the jejunum. All substances in chyme that remain undigested or unabsorbed by the time they reach the distal end of the ileum pass into the large intestine.

The large intestine — also called the large bowel — is the last organ of the GI tract. In adults, it averages about 1.5 m (about 5ft) in length. It is shorter than the small intestine, but at least twice as wide, averaging about 6.5 cm (about 2.5 in) in diameter. Water is absorbed from chyme as it passes through the large intestine, turning the chyme into solid feces. Feces is stored in the large intestine until it leaves the body during defecation.

Parts of the Large Intestine

Like the small intestine, the large intestine can be divided into several parts, as shown in Figure 15.5.5. The large intestine begins at the end of the small intestine, where a valve separates the small and large intestines and regulates the movement of chyme into the large intestine. Most of the large intestine is called the colon. The first part of the colon, where chyme enters from the small intestine, is called the cecum. From the cecum, the colon continues upward as the ascending colon, travels across the upper abdomen as the transverse colon, and then continues downward as the descending colon. It then becomes a V-shaped region called the sigmoid colon, which is attached to the rectum. The rectum stores feces until elimination occurs. It transitions to the final part of the large intestine, called the anus, which has an opening to the outside of the body for feces to pass through.

The diagram below (Figure 15.5.6) shows a projection from the cecum of the colon that is known as the appendix. The function of the appendix is somewhat uncertain, but it does not seem to be involved in digestion or absorption. It may play a role in immunity, and in the fetus, it seems to have an endocrine function, releasing hormones needed for homeostasis. Some biologists speculate that the appendix may also store a sample of the colon’s normal bacteria. If so, it may be able to repopulate the colon with the bacteria if illness or antibiotic medications deplete these microorganisms. Appendicitis, or infection and inflammation of the appendix, is a fairly common medical problem, typically resolved by surgical removal of the appendix (appendectomy). People who have had their appendix surgically removed do not seem to suffer any ill effects, so the organ is considered dispensable.

Functions of the Large Intestine

The removal of water from chyme to form feces starts in the ascending colon and continues throughout much of the length of the organ. Salts (such as sodium) are also removed from food wastes in the large intestine before the wastes are eliminated from the body. This allows salts — as well as water — to be recycled in the body.

The large intestine is also the site where huge numbers of beneficial bacteria ferment many unabsorbed materials in food waste. The bacterial breakdown of undigested polysaccharides produces nitrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, and other gases responsible for intestinal gas, or flatulence. These bacteria are particularly prevalent in the descending colon. Some of the bacteria also produce vitamins that are absorbed from the colon. The vitamins include vitamins B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B7 (biotin), B12, and K. Another role of bacteria in the colon is an immune function. The bacteria may stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies that are effective against similar, but pathogenic, bacteria, thereby preventing infections. Still other roles played by bacteria in the large intestine include breaking down toxins before they can poison the body, producing substances that help prevent colon cancer, and inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter with a wide variety of functions in the body.  Sometimes called the "happy chemical," it is used in the central nervous system to stabilize mood by contributing to a feeling of well being and happiness.  While this "happy chemical" function is important, serotonin is also important for critical brain functions, including support of learning, memory, and reward structures and regulating sleep.  Since serotonin's main target is brain function, you may be surprised to learn that 90% of the human body's supply of this neurotransmitter is located in the gastrointestinal tract, where it regulates intestinal movements.

The enteric nervous system (ENS), a division of the autonomic nervous system, is a mesh-like system of neurons that control GI function.  Interestingly, the ENS can act independently from both the sympathetic/parasympathetic nervous systems and the brain/spinal cord, which is why some scientists refer to the ENS as the "second brain".  The ENS consists of over 500 million neurons (five times as many as in the spinal cord!) and lines the GI tract from the esophagus all the way to the anus. Serotonin is made in and secreted by the gut (small and large intestine) by enterochromaffin cells (also known as Kulchitsky cells) residing in the inner lining of the lower GI tract. While the main function of serotonin in the gut is to regulate digestion, it is also suspected to play a role in brain function — meaning that your gut may actually be partly dictating your mood!  Another piece of evidence for the gut-dictating-your-mood theory is the nature vagus nerve, a fibrous visceral nerve, in which 90% of the fibres are dedicated to sending information too the brain, and only 10% of the fibres receiving information from the brain. Some treatments for depression actually involved electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve!

In a 2015 study by researchers at Caltech,  it was shown that gut bacteria promote serotonin production by enterochromaffin cells.  The study involved measuring the levels of serotonin levels in mice with normal gut bacteria, and then comparing that to the levels of serotonin in a population of mice with no gut bacteria.  The germ-free mice were found to produce only 40% of the serotonin that the mice with normal gut flora were producing.  Once the germ-free mice were re-colonized with normal gut flora, their production of serotonin returned to normal.  This lead researchers to the conclusion that enterochromaffin cells depend on an interaction with gut bacterial flora to be able to produce necessary levels of serotonin.

 

Attributions

Figure 15.5.1

1024px-Bacteroides_biacutis_01 by CDC/Dr. V.R. Dowell, Jr. Public Health Image Library (PHIL) ID#3087) on Wikimedia Commons is in the public domain (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/public_domain).

Figure 15.5.2

Blausen_0817_SmallIntestine_Anatomy by BruceBlaus on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0) license.

Figure 15.5.3

Human_jejunum_microvilli_1_-_TEM by Louisa Howard, Katherine Connollly / E. M. Facility, Dartmouth, on Wikimedia Commons is in the public domain (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/public_domain).

Figure 15.5.4

512px-2422_Accessory_Organs by OpenStax College on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0) license.

Figure 15.5.5

1024px-Blausen_0603_LargeIntestine_Anatomy by BruceBlaus on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0) license.

Figure 15.5.6

512px-Ds00070_an01934_im00887_divert_s_gif.webp (1) by Lfreeman04 on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0) license.

References

Betts, J. G., Young, K.A., Wise, J.A., Johnson, E., Poe, B., Kruse, D.H., Korol, O., Johnson, J.E., Womble, M., DeSaix, P. (2013, June 19). Figure 23.24 Accessory organs [digital image].  In Anatomy and Physiology (Section 23.6). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology/pages/23-6-accessory-organs-in-digestion-the-liver-pancreas-and-gallbladder

Blausen.com Staff. (2014). Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436. /

TED-Ed. (2018, May 7). What causes constipation? - Heba Shaheed. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IVO50DuMCs&feature=youtu.be

TED-Ed. (2014, September 8). Why do we pass gas? - Purna Kashyap. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTvnjaUU6Xk&feature=youtu.be

Yano, J. M., Yu, K., Donaldson, G. P., Shastri, G. G., Ann, P., Ma, L., Nagler, C. R., Ismagilov, R. F., Mazmanian, S. K., & Hsiao, E. Y. (2015). Indigenous bacteria from the gut microbiota regulate host serotonin biosynthesis. Cell, 161(2), 264–276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2015.02.047

 

Created by CK-12 Foundation/Adapted by Christine Miller

If you had a skin rash like the one shown in Figure 15.7.1, you probably wouldn’t assume that it was caused by a digestive system disease. However, that’s exactly why the individual in the picture has a rash. He has a gastrointestinal (GI) tract disorder called Crohn’s disease. This disease is one of a group of GI tract disorders that are known collectively as inflammatory bowel disease. Unlike other inflammatory bowel diseases, signs and symptoms of Crohn’s disease may not be confined to the GI tract.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a collection of inflammatory conditions primarily affecting the intestines. The two principal inflammatory bowel diseases are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Unlike Crohn’s disease — which may affect any part of the GI tract and the joints, as well as the skin — ulcerative colitis mainly affects just the colon and rectum. Both diseases occur when the body’s own immune systemno post attacks the digestive system. Both diseases typically first appear in the late teens or early twenties, and occur equally in males and females.  Approximately 270,000 Canadians are currently living with IBD, 7,000 of which are children.  The annual cost of caring for these Canadians is estimated at $1.28 billion.  The number of cases of IBD has been steadily increasing and it is expected that by 2030 the number of Canadians suffering from IBD will grow to 400,000.

Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that may affect any part of the GI tract from the mouth to the anus, among other body tissues. The most commonly affected region is the ileum, which is the final part of the small intestine. Signs and symptoms of Crohn’s disease typically include abdominal pain, diarrhea (with or without blood), fever, and weight loss. Malnutrition because of faulty absorption of nutrients may also occur. Potential complications of Crohn’s disease include obstructions and abscesses of the bowel. People with Crohn’s disease are also at slightly greater risk than the general population of developing bowel cancer. Although there is a slight reduction in life expectancy in people with Crohn’s disease, if the disease is well-managed, affected people can live full and productive lives.  Approximately 135,000 Canadians are living with Crohn's disease.

Crohn’s disease is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors that lead to impairment of the generalized immune response (called innate immunity). The chronic inflammation of Crohn’s disease is thought to be the result of the immune system “trying” to compensate for the impairment. Dozens of genes are likely to be involved, only a few of which have been identified. Because of the genetic component, close relatives such as siblings of people with Crohn’s disease are many times more likely to develop the disease than people in the general population. Environmental factors that appear to increase the risk of the disease include smoking tobacco and eating a diet high in animal proteins. Crohn’s disease is typically diagnosed on the basis of a colonoscopy, which provides a direct visual examination of the inside of the colon and the ileum of the small intestine.

People with Crohn’s disease typically experience recurring periods of flare-ups followed by remission. There are no medications or surgical procedures that can cure Crohn’s disease, although medications such as anti-inflammatory or immune-suppressing drugs may alleviate symptoms during flare-ups and help maintain remission. Lifestyle changes, such as dietary modifications and smoking cessation, may also help control symptoms and reduce the likelihood of flare-ups. Surgery may be needed to resolve bowel obstructions, abscesses, or other complications of the disease.

Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers (sores) in the colon and rectum. Unlike Crohn’s disease, other parts of the GI tract are rarely affected in ulcerative colitis. The primary symptoms of the disease are lower abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Weight loss, fever, and anemia may also be present. Symptoms typically occur intermittently with periods of no symptoms between flare-ups. People with ulcerative colitis have a considerably increased risk of colon cancer and should be screened for colon cancer more frequently than the general population. Ulcerative colitis, however, seems to primarily reduce the quality of life, and not the lifespan.

The exact cause of ulcerative colitis is not known. Theories about its cause involve immune system dysfunction, genetics, changes in normal gut bacteria, and lifestyle factors, such as a diet high in animal protein and the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Genetic involvement is suspected in part because ulcerative colitis tens to “run” in families. It is likely that multiple genes are involved. Diagnosis is typically made on the basis of colonoscopy and tissue biopsies.

Lifestyle changes, such as reducing the consumption of animal protein and alcohol, may improve symptoms of ulcerative colitis. A number of medications are also available to treat symptoms and help prolong remission. These include anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs that suppress the immune system. In cases of severe disease, removal of the colon and rectum may be required and can cure the disease.

Diverticulitis is a digestive disease in which tiny pouches in the wall of the large intestine become infected and inflamed. Symptoms typically include lower abdominal pain of sudden onset. There may also be fever, nausea, diarrhea or constipation, and blood in the stool. Having large intestine pouches called diverticula (see Figure 15.7.2) that are not inflamed is called diverticulosis. Diverticulosis is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, and is more common in people who are obese. Infection and inflammation of the pouches (diverticulitis) occurs in about 10–25% of people with diverticulosis, and is more common at older ages. The infection is generally caused by bacteria.

Diverticulitis can usually be diagnosed with a CT scan and can be monitored with a colonoscopy (as seen in Figure 15.7.3). Mild diverticulitis may be treated with oral antibiotics and a short-term liquid diet. For severe cases, intravenous antibiotics, hospitalization, and complete bowel rest (no nourishment via the mouth) may be recommended. Complications such as abscess formation or perforation of the colon require surgery.

A peptic ulcer is a sore in the lining of the stomach or the duodenum (first part of the small intestine). If the ulcer occurs in the stomach, it is called a gastric ulcer. If it occurs in the duodenum, it is called a duodenal ulcer. The most common symptoms of peptic ulcers are upper abdominal pain that often occurs in the night and improves with eating. Other symptoms may include belching, vomiting, weight loss, and poor appetite. Many people with peptic ulcers, particularly older people, have no symptoms. Peptic ulcers are relatively common, with about ten per cent of people developing a peptic ulcer at some point in their life.

The most common cause of peptic ulcers is infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which may be transmitted by food, contaminated water, or human saliva (for example, by kissing or sharing eating utensils). Surprisingly, the bacterial cause of peptic ulcers was not discovered until the 1980s. The scientists who made the discovery are Australians Robin Warren and Barry J. Marshall. Although the two scientists eventually won a Nobel Prize for their discovery, their hypothesis was poorly received at first. To demonstrate the validity of their discovery, Marshall used himself in an experiment. He drank a culture of bacteria from a peptic ulcer patient and developed symptoms of peptic ulcer in a matter of days. His symptoms resolved on their own within a couple of weeks, but, at his wife's urging, he took antibiotics to kill any remaining bacteria. Marshall’s self-experiment was published in the Australian Medical Journal, and is among the most cited articles ever published in the journal.  Figure 15.7.4 shows how H. pylori cause peptic ulcers.

Another relatively common cause of peptic ulcers is chronic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Additional contributing factors may include tobacco smoking and stress, although these factors have not been demonstrated conclusively to cause peptic ulcers independent of H. pylori infection. Contrary to popular belief, diet does not appear to play a role in either causing or preventing peptic ulcers. Eating spicy foods and drinking coffee and alcohol were once thought to cause peptic ulcers. These lifestyle choices are no longer thought to have much (if any) of an effect on the development of peptic ulcers.

Peptic ulcers are typically diagnosed on the basis of symptoms or the presence of H. pylori in the GI tract. However, endoscopy (shown in Figure 15.7.5), which allows direct visualization of the stomach and duodenum with a camera, may be required for a definitive diagnosis. Peptic ulcers are usually treated with antibiotics to kill H. pylori, along with medications to temporarily decrease stomach acid and aid in healing. Unfortunately, H. pylori has developed resistance to commonly used antibiotics, so treatment is not always effective. If a peptic ulcer has penetrated so deep into the tissues that it causes a perforation of the wall of the stomach or duodenum, then emergency surgery is needed to repair the damage.

 

Gastroenteritis, also known as infectious diarrhea or stomach flu, is an acute and usually self-limiting infection of the GI tract by pathogens. Symptoms typically include some combination of diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Fever, lack of energy, and dehydration may also occur. The illness generally lasts less than two weeks, even without treatment, but in young children it is potentially deadly. Gastroenteritis is very common, especially in poorer nations. Worldwide, up to five billion cases occur each year, resulting in about 1.4 million deaths.

Commonly called “stomach flu,” gastroenteritis is unrelated to the influenza virus, although viruses are the most common cause of the disease (see Figure 15.7.6). In children, rotavirus is most often the cause which is why the British Columbia immunization schedule now includes a rotovirus vaccine. Norovirus is more likely to be the cause of gastroenteritis in adults. Besides viruses, other potential causes of gastroenteritis include fungi, bacteria (most often E. coli or Campylobacter jejuni), and protozoa(including Giardia lamblia, more commonly called Beaver Fever, described below). Transmission of pathogens may occur due to eating improperly prepared foods or foods left to stand at room temperature, drinking contaminated water, or having close contact with an infected individual.

Gastroenteritis is less common in adults than children, partly because adults have acquired immunity after repeated exposure to the most common infectious agents. Adults also tend to have better hygiene than children. If children have frequent repeated incidents of gastroenteritis, they may suffer from malnutrition, stunted growth, and developmental delays. Many cases of gastroenteritis in children can be avoided by giving them a rotavirus vaccine. Frequent and thorough handwashing can cut down on infections caused by other pathogens.

Treatment of gastroenteritis generally involves increasing fluid intake to replace fluids lost in vomiting or diarrhea. Oral rehydration solution, which is a combination of water, salts, and sugar, is often recommended. In severe cases, intravenous fluids may be needed. Antibiotics are not usually prescribed, because they are ineffective against viruses that cause most cases of gastroenteritis.

Giardiasis, popularly known as beaver fever, is a type of gastroenteritis caused by a GI tract parasite, the single-celled protozoan Giardia lamblia (pictured in Figure 15.7.7). In addition to human beings, the parasite inhabits the digestive tract of a wide variety of domestic and wild animals, including cows, rodents, and sheep, as well as beavers (hence its popular name). Giardiasis is one of the most common parasitic infections in people the world over, with hundreds of millions of people infected worldwide each year.

Transmission of G. lamblia is via a fecal-oral route (as in, you got feces in your food). Those at greatest risk include travelers to countries where giardiasis is common, people who work in child-care settings, backpackers and campers who drink untreated water from lakes or rivers, and people who have close contact with infected people or animals in other settings. In Canada, Giardia is the most commonly identified intestinal parasite and approximately 3,000 Canadians will contract the parasite annually.

Symptoms of giardiasis can vary widely. About one-third third of people with the infection have no symptoms, whereas others have severe diarrhea with poor absorption of nutrients. Problems with absorption occur because the parasites inhibit intestinal digestive enzyme production, cause detrimental changes in microvilli lining the small intestine, and kill off small intestinal epithelial cells. The illness can result in weakness, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, vomiting, and excessive gas. Without treatment, symptoms may continue for several weeks. Treatment with anti-parasitic medications may be needed if symptoms persist longer or are particularly severe.

Attributions

Figure 15.7.1

BADAS_Crohn by Dayavathi Ashok and Patrick Kiely/ Journal of medical case reports on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0) license.

Figure 15.7.2

512px-Ds00070_an01934_im00887_divert_s_gif.webp by Lfreeman04  on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0) license.

Figure 15.7.3

Colon_diverticulum by melvil on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0) license.

Figure 15.7.4

H_pylori_ulcer_diagram by Y_tambe on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) license.

Figure 15.7.5

1024px-Endoscopy_training by Yuya Tamai on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0) license.

Figure 15.7.6

Gastroenteritis_viruses by Dr. Graham Beards [en:User:Graham Beards] at en.wikipedia on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0) license.

Figure 15.7.7

Giardia_lamblia_SEM_8698_lores by Janice Haney Carr from CDC/ Public Health Image Library (PHIL) ID# 8698 on Wikimedia Commons is in the public domain (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/public_domain).

References

Ashok, D., & Kiely, P. (2007). Bowel associated dermatosis - arthritis syndrome: a case report. Journal of medical case reports, 1, 81. https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-1947-1-81

Marshall, B. J., Armstrong, J. A., McGechie, D. B., & Glancy, R. J. (1985). Attempt to fulfil Koch's postulates for pyloric Campylobacter. The Medical Journal of Australia, 142(8), 436–439.

Marshall, B. J., McGechie, D. B., Rogers, P. A., & Glancy, R. J. (1985). Pyloric campylobacter infection and gastroduodenal disease. The Medical Journal of Australia, 142(8), 439–444.

TED-Ed. (2017, September 28). The surprising cause of stomach ulcers - Rusha Modi. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_U6czbDHLE&feature=youtu.be

TED-Ed. (2018, January 4). Who's at risk for colon cancer? - Amit H. Sachdev and Frank G. Gress. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5zin8jKeT0&feature=youtu.be

Created by CK-12 Foundation/Adapted by Christine Miller

The bread above may or may not look appetizing to you, but for people with celiac disease, it is certainly off limits. Bread and pasta are traditionally made with wheat, which contains proteins called gluten. As you learned in the beginning of the chapter, even trace amounts of gluten can damage the digestive system of people with celiac disease. When Angela and Saloni met for lunch, Angela chose a restaurant that she knew could provide her with gluten-free food because she has this disease.

When people with celiac disease eat gluten, it causes an autoimmune reaction that results in inflammation and flattening of the villi of the small intestine. What do you think happens if the villi are inflamed and flattened? Think about what you have learned about the functions of the villi and small intestine. The small intestine is where most chemical digestion and absorption of nutrients occurs in the body. The villi increase the surface area in the small intestine to maximize the digestion of food and absorption of nutrients into the blood and lymph. If the villi are inflamed and flattened, there is less surface area where digestion and absorption can occur. Therefore, damage from celiac disease can result in an inadequate absorption of nutrients called malabsorption.

Malabsorption explains why there can be so many different types of symptoms of celiac disease, ranging from diarrhea and other forms of digestive distress, to anemia, nutritional deficiencies, skin rashes, osteoporosis and bone pain, depression and anxiety, and rarer — but potentially serious — complications, such as cancer. Our bodies need to digest and absorb adequate amounts of nutrients in order to function properly and stay healthy. Lack of nutrients can affect and damage cells, tissues, and organs throughout the body, sometimes seriously and irreversibly. A person with celiac disease can limit and often heal intestinal damage just by not eating gluten. In fact, eliminating all gluten from the diet is the main treatment for celiac disease. In some people with celiac disease, a gluten-free diet may not be enough, and steroids and other medications may be used to reduce the inflammation in the small intestine.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune systemno post attacks its own tissues. It is thought to be caused by the presence of particular genes in combination with exposure to gluten. What are some other autoimmune disorders that you read about in this chapter that affect the digestive system? The two main inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are both due to the body’s immune system attacking the digestive system, resulting in inflammation. Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the GI tract, most commonly the ileum of the small intestine, while ulcerative colitis mainly affects the colon and rectum. Similar to celiac disease, treatments for these diseases also focus on reducing GI tract damage through lifestyle changes and medications.

Gluten is clearly dangerous for people with celiac disease, but should people who do not have celiac disease or other diagnosed medical problem with gluten also eliminate gluten from their diet? Many medical experts say no, because gluten-free diets are so restrictive, they may cause nutritional deficiencies without providing any proven health benefits. They can also be expensive and, as Saloni’s cousin found out, difficult to maintain, given that gluten is present in so many foods. It is estimated that only one per cent of the population has celiac disease. Most people should enjoy a varied diet and consult with their doctor if they are concerned about celiac disease, other types of gluten intolerance, or food allergies.

Watch this TED-Ed video "What's the big deal with gluten? - William D. Chey" to learn more:

https://youtu.be/uEM2iDT-VAk

What’s the big deal with gluten? - William D. Chey, TED-Ed, 2015.

A peptide hormone, produced by alpha cells of the pancreas. It works to raise the concentration of glucose and fatty acids in the bloodstream, and is considered to be the main catabolic hormone of the body. It is also used as a medication to treat a number of health conditions.

Created by: CK-12/Adapted by: Christine Miller

What Is a Scientific Theory?

Germ theory, which is described in detail below, is one of several scientific theories you will read about in human biology. A scientific theory is a broad explanation for events. Scientific theories are widely accepted by the scientific community. To become a theory, an explanation must be strongly supported by a great deal of evidence.

People commonly use the word theory to describe a guess or hunch about how or why something happens. For example, you might say, "I think a woodchuck dug this hole in the ground, but it's just a theory." Using the word theory in this way is different from the way it is used in science. A scientific theory is not just a guess or hunch that may or may not be true. In science, a theory is an explanation that has a high likelihood of being correct because it is so well supported by evidence.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyN2RhbhiEU

What is the difference between a scientific law and theory? by Matt Anticole, TEDEd, 2015

The germ theory of disease states that contagious diseases are caused by germs, or microorganisms, which are organisms that are too small to be seen without magnification. Microorganisms which cause disease are called pathogens. Human pathogens include bacteria and viruses, among other microscopic entities. When pathogens invade humans or other living hosts, they grow, reproduce, and make their hosts sick. Diseases caused by germs are contagious because the microorganisms that cause them can spread from person to person.

First Statement of Germ Theory

Germ theory was first clearly stated by an Italian physician named Girolamo Fracastoro (pictured in Figure 1.5.1) in the mid-1500s. Fracastoro proposed that contagious diseases are caused by transferable "seed-like entities," which we now call germs. According to Fracastoro, germs spread through populations through direct or indirect contact between individuals, making people sick.

Fracastoro's idea, though essentially correct, was disregarded by other physicians. Instead, Hippocrates' and Galen's idea of miasma remained the accepted explanation for the spread of disease for another 300 years. However, evidence for Fracastoro's idea accumulated during that time. Some of the earliest evidence was provided by the Dutch lens and microscope maker Anton van Leeuwenhoek, who is considered by many to be the father of microbiology. By the 1670s, van Leeuwenhoek had directly observed many different types of microorganisms, including bacteria.

Evidence from Puerperal Fever

One of the first physicians to demonstrate that a microorganism is the cause of a specific human disease was the Hungarian obstetrician Ignaz Semmelweis in the 1840s. The disease was puerperal fever, an often-fatal infection of the female reproductive organs. Puerperal fever is also called childbed fever, because it usually affects women who have just given birth.

Semmelweis observed that deaths from puerperal fever occurred much more often when women had been attended by doctors at his hospital than by midwives at home. Semmelweis also noticed that doctors often came directly from autopsies to the beds of women about to give birth. From his observations, Semmelweis inferred that puerperal fever was a contagious disease caused by some type of matter carried to pregnant patients on the hands of doctors from autopsied bodies. As a consequence, Semmelweis urged doctors and medical students at his hospital to wash their hands with chlorinated lime water before examining pregnant women. After this change, the hospital's death rate for women who had just given birth fell from 18 to 2 per cent, which was a 90 per cent reduction. Some of Semmelweis' findings are presented in the graph above-right.

Semmelweis published his results, but they were derided by the medical profession. The idea that doctors themselves were the carriers of a fatal disease was taken as a personal affront by his fellow physicians. One of Semmelweis' peers protested indignantly that doctors are gentlemen and that gentlemen's hands are always clean. As a result of attitudes such as this, Semmelweis became the target of a vicious smear campaign. Eventually, Semmelweis had a mental breakdown and was committed to a mental hospital, where he died.

Father of Germ Theory

Throughout the later 1800s, more formal investigations were conducted about the relationship between germs and disease. Some of the most important were undertaken by Louis Pasteur. Pasteur (right) was a French chemist who did careful experiments to show that fermentation, food spoilage, and certain diseases are caused by microorganisms. He discovered the cause of puerperal fever in 1879. He determined it was an infection caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes, shown under magnification (Figure 1.5.3).

 

Although Pasteur was not the first person to propose germ theory, his investigations clearly supported it. He also became a strong proponent of the theory and managed to convince most of the scientific community of its validity. For these reasons, Pasteur is often regarded as the father of germ theory.

Attributions

Figure 1.5.1

Fracastoro, Girolamo, 1478-1553,. by Francesco Redenti 1820-1876, from Wellcome Library Record no. 3120i, is in the public domain (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain).

Figure 1.5.2

Puerperal fever yearly mortality rates, 1833-1858, by Power.corrupts, has been released into the public domain (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain).

Figure 1.5.3

Streptococcus pyogenes 01, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Public Health Image Library (PHIL), ID #2110, is in the public domain (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain).

Figure 1.5.4

Albert Edelfelt - Louis Pasteur - 1885, photograph by Ondra Havala, is in the public domain (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain).

References

Semmelweis Orvostörténeti Múzeum. (2013, October 31). Sammelweiz. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPiW6Y_oDJo&feature=emb_logo

TEDEd. (2015). What's the difference between a scientific law and a theory? - Matt Anticole. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyN2RhbhiEU&t=91s

Wikipedia contributors. (2020, August 3). Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. In Wikipedia.  https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Antonie_van_Leeuwenhoek&oldid=970998908

Wikipedia contributors. (2020, July 28). Galen. In Wikipedia.  https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Galen&oldid=969901897

Wikipedia contributors. (2020, July 1). Girolamo Fracastoro. In Wikipedia.  https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Girolamo_Fracastoro&oldid=965417568

Wikipedia contributors. (2020, July 30). Hippocrates. In Wikipedia.  https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hippocrates&oldid=970254565

Wikipedia contributors. (2020, July 21). Ignaz Semmelweis. In Wikipedia.  https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ignaz_Semmelweis&oldid=968773367

Wikipedia contributors. (2020, August 5). Louis Pasteur. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Louis_Pasteur&oldid=971330056

Wikipedia contributors. (2020, August 5). Miasma theory. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Miasma_theory&oldid=971286379

 

 

 

A type of immune cell that has granules (small particles) with enzymes that are released during infections, allergic reactions, and asthma. An eosinophil is a type of white blood cell and a type of granulocyte.

In order to truly understand the concept of  Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), it is important to gather as many definitions as possible- this gives us an accurate breadth of the term with all its nuances.  Click through the images below to read several descriptions of TEK.

Value

People who have lived in a community for generations are often the first to notice any signs of environmental change.  Information about a particular region's climate and ecology is retained when the people from the region take on location as part of their cultural identity across generations.  This traditional knowledge is passed from generation to generation through story telling and mentorship.

TEK shares some similarities with what is termed "Western Science".  Both recognize that knowledge is always growing and changing and that observations are critical to recognizing patterns and causalities in nature.  In addition, both TEK and Western Science recognize interdependence in biological systems and the need to treat ecology as  a complex system.  TEK differs in some ways from Western Science: knowledge is passed on orally, partly through metaphor and story, and this learned knowledge is embedded into daily living.  TEK also differs from Western Science in that TEK is tied in to morality, spirituality and individual identity, making it more than just knowledge; it is sacred knowledge.

Examples

People who are indigenous to the province of British Columbia have been managing natural resources in this area for time immemorial.  Numerous examples of sustainable harvesting methods can be found across the province, but our example, harvesting and management of the Avalanche Lily, comes from the Secwepemc peoples of the interior of British Columbia.  Many thanks to Nancy Turner, Marianne Boelscher Ignace and Ronald Ignace for their documentation of these practices in their paper: Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Wisdom of Aboriginal Peoples in British Columbia

The Avalanche Lily is a yellow-flowered member of the lily family native to Western North America.  This flower grows from an edible  bulb which ranges in size from 3-5 centimetres.  The Secwepemc people have harvested these bulbs as an important food source for generations.  Oral transmission of knowledge allowed the Secwepemc people to use thousands of years of accumulated data around growing cycles, seasons and management practices to harvest these plants effectively while maintaining a healthy population of lilies for future use.  Very intentional conservation strategies were/are practiced when harvesting the bulbs:

• Bulbs were harvested according to elevation in order to collect bulbs in the right stage of maturity and to spread out harvesting and yield over several months.  Bulbs picked early in the season were too soft, and bulbs picked late were too watery.
• Only the largest bulbs were selected by choosing stems with multiple fruiting bodies.
• As bulbs were harvested, smaller bulbs were replanted, seeds were scattered and the soil was tilled by the harvesters.
• Areas which had been extensively harvested were often left for several years to allow the lily population time to recover.

The two videos below show how knowledge of a particular ecosystem is handed down through the traditions of mentorship and storytelling:

 

Modern science, native knowledge, by The Nature Conservancy, 2015

First Stories - Nganawendaanan Nde'ing (I Keep Them in My Heart), by Shannon Letande, 2006

TEK is Part of Place

The Traditional Ecological Knowledge held by Indigenous communities often includes very location specific knowledge.  There are many diverse groups of First Peoples in British Columbia, each with expert knowledge about the ecology of their specific ancestral regions.  The link to the map from the Native Land Digital website shows some of the traditional boundaries of the Indigenous people in British Columbia. Click on the areas to see where First Nations communities are located.

 

Attributions

Definitions of Traditional Ecological Knowledge

• Kamloops, BC, Canada by Louis Paulin on Unsplash is used under the Unsplash License (https://unsplash.com/license). 
• The Totem Poles of Capilano, Vancouver by Udayaditya Barua on Unsplash is used under the Unsplash License (https://unsplash.com/license). 
• Alouette Lake by Chloe Evans on Unsplash is used under the Unsplash License (https://unsplash.com/license). 

Figure 1.6.1

Erythronium grandiflorum 5077, by Walter Siegmund on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) license.

References

Herkes, J. (n.d.). Continuing studies: Traditional ecological knowledge. University of Northern British Columbia. Retrieved from https://www.unbc.ca/continuing-studies/courses/traditional-ecological-knowledge

Inglis, J. T. (1993). Traditional ecological knowledge: Concepts and cases (p. vi). Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Letande, S. (2006). First Stories - Nganawendaanan Nde'ing (I keep them in my heart). https://www.nfb.ca/film/first_stories_nganawendaanan_ndeing/

Minerals Management Service (n.d.). What is Traditional Knowledge [online]. Government of Alaska.https://web.archive.org/web/20030328053734/http://www.mms.gov/alaska/native/tradknow/tk_mms2.htm

TEDx-TC. (2012, March 4). TEDxTC - Winona LaDuke - Seeds of our ancestors, seeds of life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHNlel72eQc&feature=youtu.be

The Nature Conservancy. (2015, February 25). Modern science, native knowledge. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QRpnHoGivk

Turner, N., Ignace, M., & Ignace, R. (2000, October 1). Traditional ecological knowledge and wisdom of Aboriginal peoples in British Columbia. Ecological Applications, 10(5), 1275-1287. doi:10.2307/2641283

Wakefield, A.J. (1999, September 11). MMR vaccination and autism. Lancet, 354(9182), 949-950.  https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(05)75696-8/fulltext doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(05)75696-8

 

 

Created by CK-12 Foundation/Adapted by Christine Miller

Fashion Statement

This colourful hairstyle makes quite a fashion statement. Many people spend a lot of time and money on their hair, even if they don’t have an exceptional hairstyle like this one. Besides its display value, hair actually has important physiological functions.

What is Hair?

Hair is a filament that grows from a hair follicle in the dermis of the skin. It consists mainly of tightly packed, keratin-filled cells called keratinocytes. The human body is covered with hair follicles, with the exception of a few areas, including the mucous membranes, lips, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet.

Structure of Hair

The part of the hair located within the follicle is called the hair root. The root is the only living part of the hair. The part of the hair that is visible above the surface of the skin is the hair shaft. The shaft of the hair has no biochemical activity and is considered dead.

Follicle and Root

Hair growth begins inside a follicle (see Figure 10.5.2 below). Each hair follicle contains stem cells that can keep dividing, which allows hair to grow. The stem cells can also regrow a new hair after one falls out. Another structure associated with a hair follicle is a sebaceous gland that produces oily sebum. The sebum lubricates and helps to waterproof the hair. A tiny arrector pili muscle is also attached to the follicle. When it contracts, the follicle moves, and the hair in the follicle stands up.

 

Shaft

The hair shaft is a hard filament that may grow very long. Hair normally grows in length by about half an inch a month. In cross-section, a hair shaft can be divided into three zones, called the cuticle, cortex, and medulla.

• The cuticle (or outer coat) is the outermost zone of the hair shaft. It consists of several layers of flat, thin keratinocytes that overlap one another like shingles on a roof. This arrangement helps the cuticle repel water. The cuticle is also covered with a layer of lipids, just one molecule thick, which increases its ability to repel water. This is the zone of the hair shaft that is visible to the eye.
• The cortex is the middle zone of the hair shaft, and it is also the widest part. The cortex is highly structured and organized, consisting of keratin bundles in rod-like structures. These structures give hair its mechanical strength. The cortex also contains melanin, which gives hair its colour.
• The medulla is the innermost zone of the hair shaft. This is a small, disorganized, and more open area at the center of the hair shaft. The medulla is not always present. When it is present, it contains highly pigmented cells full of keratin.

Characteristics of Hair

Two visible characteristics of hair are its colour and texture. In adult males, the extent of balding is another visible characteristic. All three characteristics are genetically controlled.

Hair Colour

All natural hair colours are the result of melanin, which is produced in hair follicles and packed into granules in the hair. Two forms of melanin are found in human hair: eumelanin and pheomelanin. Eumelanin is the dominant pigment in brown hair and black hair, and pheomelanin is the dominant pigment in red hair. Blond hair results when you have only a small amount of melanin in the hair. Gray and white hair occur when melanin production slows down, and eventually stops.

Figure 10.5.3 Variation in hair colouration. Which types of melanin are present for each hair colour shown?

Hair Texture

Hair exists in a variety of textures. The main aspects of hair texture are the curl pattern, thickness, and consistency.

• The shape of the hair follicle determines the shape of the hair shaft. The shape of the hair shaft, in turn, determines the curl pattern of the hair. Round hair shafts produce straight hair. Hair shafts that are oval or have other shapes produce wavy or curly hair .
• The size of the hair follicle determines the thickness of hair. Thicker hair has greater volume than thinner hair.
• The consistency of hair is determined by the hair follicle volume and the condition of the hair shaft. The consistency of hair is generally classified as fine, medium, or coarse. Fine hair has the smallest circumference, and coarse hair has the largest circumference. Medium hair falls in between these two extremes. Coarse hair also has a more open cuticle than thin or medium hair does, which causes it to be more porous.
  

  

Functions of Hair

In humans, one function of head hair is to provide insulation and help the head retain heat. Head hair also protects the skin on the head from damage by UV light.

The function of hair in other locations on the body is debated. One idea is that body hair helps keep us warm in cold weather. When the body is too cold, arrector pili muscles contract and cause hairs to stand up (shown in Figure 10.5.5), trapping a layer of warm air above the epidermis. However, this is more effective in mammals that have thick hair or fur than it is in relatively hairless human beings.

Human hair has an important sensory function, as well. Sensory receptors in the hair follicles can sense when the hair moves, whether it moves because of a breeze, or because of the touch of a physical object. The receptors may also provide sensory awareness of the presence of parasites on the skin.

 

Some hairs, such as the eyelashes, are especially sensitive to the presence of potentially harmful matter. The eyelashes grow at the edge of the eyelid and can sense when dirt, dust, or another potentially harmful object is too close to the eye. The eye reflexively closes as a result of this sensation. The eyebrows also provide some protection to the eyes. They protect the eyes from dirt, sweat, and rain. In addition, the eyebrows play a key role in nonverbal communication (see Figure 10.5.6). They help express emotions such as sadness, anger, surprise, and excitement.

Hair in Human Evolution

Among mammals, humans are nearly unique in having undergone significant loss of body hair during their evolution. Humans are also unlike most other mammals in having curly hair as one variation in hair texture. Even non-human primates (see Figure 10.5.7) all have straight hair. This suggests that curly hair evolved at some point during human evolution.

Loss of Body Hair

One hypothesis for the loss of body hair in the human lineage is that it would have facilitated cooling of the body by the evaporation of sweat. Humans also evolved far more sweat glands than other mammals, which is consistent with this hypothesis, because sweat evaporates more quickly from less hairy skin. Another hypothesis for human hair loss is that it would have led to fewer parasites on the skin. This might have been especially important when humans started living together in larger, more crowded social groups.

These hypotheses may explain why we lost body hair, but they can’t explain why we didn’t also lose head hair and hair in the pubic region and armpits. It is possible that head hair was retained because it protected the scalp from UV light. As our bipedal ancestors walked on the open savannas of equatorial Africa, the skin on the head would have been an area exposed to the most direct rays of sunlight in an upright hominid. Pubic and armpit hair may have been retained because they served as signs of sexual maturity, which would have been important for successful mating and reproduction.

Evolution of Curly Hair

Greater protection from UV light has also been posited as a possible selective agent favoring the evolution of curly hair. Researchers have found that straight hair allows more light to pass into the body through the hair shaft via the follicle than does curly hair. In this way, human hair is like a fibre optic cable. It allows light to pass through easily when it is straight, but it impedes the passage of light when it is kinked or coiled. This is indirect evidence that UV light may have been a selective agent leading to the evolution of curly hair.

Social and Cultural Significance of Hair

Hair has great social significance for human beings. Body hair is an indicator of biological sex, because hair distribution is sexually dimorphic. Adult males are generally hairier than adult females, and facial hair in particular is a notable secondary male sex characteristic. Hair may also be an indicator of age. White hair is a sign of older age in both males and females, and male pattern baldness is a sign of older age in males. In addition, hair colour and texture can be a sign of ethnic ancestry.

Hair also has great cultural significance. Hairstyle and colour may be an indicator of social group membership and for better or worse can be associated with specific stereotypes. Head shaving has been used in many times and places as a punishment, especially for women. On the other hand, in some cultures, cutting off one’s hair symbolizes liberation from one’s past. In other cultures, it is a sign of mourning. There are also many religious-based practices involving hair. For example, the majority of Muslim women hide their hair with a headscarf. Sikh men grow their hair long and cover it with a turban. Amish men (like the one pictured in Figure 10.5.8) grow facial hair only after they marry — but just a beard, and not a mustache.

Unfortunately, sometimes hairstyle, colour and characteristics are used to apply stereotypes, particularly with respect to women.  "Blonde jokes" are a good example of how negative stereotypes are maintained despite having no actual truth behind them.  Many stereotypes related to hair are hidden, even from persons perpetrating the stereotype.  Often a hairstyle is judged by another as having ties to gender, sexuality, worldview and/or socioeconomic status; even when these inferences are woefully inaccurate.  It is important to be aware of our own biases and determine if these biases are appropriate - take a look at the collage in Figure 10.5.9.  What are your initial reactions?  Are these reactions founded in fact?  Do you harbor an unfair bias?

Figure 10.5.9 What are your biases?  Are they fair?

 

Attributions

Figure 10.5.1

Hair by jessica-dabrowski-TETR8YLSqt4 [photo] by Jessica Dabrowski on Unsplash is used under the Unsplash License (https://unsplash.com/license).

Figure 10.5.2

Blausen_0438_HairFollicleAnatomy_02 by BruceBlaus on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0) license.

Figure 10.5.3

• Standing tall by Ilaya Raja on Unsplash is used under the Unsplash License (https://unsplash.com/license).
• Blond-haired woman smiling by Carlos Lindner on Unsplash is used under the Unsplash License (https://unsplash.com/license).
• Smith Mountain Lake redhead by Chris Ross Harris on Unsplash is used under the Unsplash License (https://unsplash.com/license).
• Through the look of experience by Laura Margarita Cedeño Peralta on Unsplash is used under the Unsplash License (https://unsplash.com/license).

Figure 10.5.4

Curly hair by chris-benson-clvEami9RN4 [photo] by Chris Benson on Unsplash is used under the Unsplash License (https://unsplash.com/license).

Figure 10.5.5

1024px-PilioerectionAnimation by AnthonyCaccese on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en) license.

Figure 10.5.6

Pout by alexander-dummer-Em8I8Z_DwA4 [photo] by Alexander Dummer on Unsplash is used under the Unsplash License (https://unsplash.com/license).

Figure 10.5.7

Cotton_top_tamarin_monkey._(12046035746) by Bernard Spragg. NZ, from Christchurch, New Zealand on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC0 1.0 Universal
Public Domain Dedication license (https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en).

Figure 10.5.8

Amish hairstyle by CK-12 Foundation is used under a CC BY-NC 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) license.
©CK-12 Foundation Licensed under  • Terms of Use • Attribution
Figure 10.5.9

• Rainbow Hair Bubble Man by Behrouz Jafarnezhad on Unsplash is used under the Unsplash License (https://unsplash.com/license).
• Pink hair in Atlanta, United States by Tammie Allen on Unsplash is used under the Unsplash License (https://unsplash.com/license).
• Magdalena 2 by Valerie Elash on Unsplash is used under the Unsplash License (https://unsplash.com/license).
• Perfect Style by Daria Volkova on Unsplash is used under the Unsplash License (https://unsplash.com/license)
• Stay Classy by Fayiz Musthafa on Unsplash is used under the Unsplash License (https://unsplash.com/license)
• Take your time by Jan Tinneberg on Unsplash is used under the Unsplash License (https://unsplash.com/license)

References

Blausen.com staff. (2014). Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436.

Brainard, J/ CK-12 Foundation. (2016). Figure 7 This style of facial hair is adopted by most Amish men after they marry [digital image]. In CK-12 College Human Biology (Section 12.5) [online Flexbook]. CK12.org. https://www.ck12.org/book/ck-12-college-human-biology/section/12.5/

Sony Pictures Animation. (2019, December 5). Hair love | Oscar®-winning short film (Full) | Sony Pictures Animation. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNw8V_Fkw28

TED-Ed. (2015, August 25). Why do some people go bald? – Sarthak Sinha. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8diYLhl8bWU

TEDx Talks. (2015, February 4). Why do we care about hair | Naomi Abigail | TEDxBaDinh. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDW5e3NR1Cw

Created by CK-12 Foundation/Adapted by Christine Miller

Feel the Burn

The person in Figure 10.3.1 is no doubt feeling the burn — sunburn, that is. Sunburn occurs when the outer layer of the skin is damaged by UV light from the sun or tanning lamps. Some people deliberately allow UV light to burn their skin, because after the redness subsides, they are left with a tan. A tan may look healthy, but it is actually a sign of skin damage. People who experience one or more serious sunburns are significantly more likely to develop skin cancer. Natural pigment molecules in the skin help protect it from UV light damage. These pigment molecules are found in the layer of the skin called the epidermis.

The epidermis is the outer of the two main layers of the skin. The inner layer is the dermis. It averages about 0.10 mm thick, and is much thinner than the dermis. The epidermis is thinnest on the eyelids (0.05 mm) and thickest on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet (1.50 mm). The epidermis covers almost the entire body surface. It is continuous with — but structurally distinct from — the mucous membranes that line the mouth, anus, urethra, and vagina.

There are no blood vessels and very few nerve cells in the epidermis. Without blood to bring epidermal cells oxygen and nutrients, the cells must absorb oxygen directly from the air and obtain nutrients via diffusion of fluids from the dermis below. However, as thin as it is, the epidermis still has a complex structure. It has a variety of cell types and multiple layers.

Cells of the Epidermis

There are several different types of cells in the epidermis. All of the cells are necessary for the important functions of the epidermis.

• The epidermis consists mainly of stacks of keratin-producing epithelial cells called keratinocytes. These cells make up at least 90 per cent of the epidermis. Near the top of the epidermis, these cells are also called squamous cells.
• Another eight per cent of epidermal cells are melanocytes. These cells produce the pigment melanin that protects the dermis from UV light.
• About one per cent of epidermal cells are Langerhans cells. These are immune system cells that detect and fight pathogens entering the skin.
• Less than one per cent of epidermal cells are Merkel cells, which respond to light touch and connect to nerve endings in the dermis.

Layers of the Epidermis

The epidermis in most parts of the body consists of four distinct layers. A fifth layer occurs in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, where the epidermis is thicker than in the rest of the body. The layers of the epidermis are shown in Figure 10.3.2, and described in the following text.

Stratum Basale

The stratum basale is the innermost (or deepest) layer of the epidermis. It is separated from the dermis by a membrane called the basement membrane. The stratum basale contains stem cells — called basal cells — which divide to form all the keratinocytes of the epidermis. When keratinocytes first form, they are cube-shaped and contain almost no keratin. As more keratinocytes are produced, previously formed cells are pushed up through the stratum basale. Melanocytes and Merkel cells are also found in the stratum basale. The Merkel cells are especially numerous in touch-sensitive areas, such as the fingertips and lips.

Stratum Spinosum

Just above the stratum basale is the stratum spinosum. This is the thickest of the four epidermal layers. The keratinocytes in this layer have begun to accumulate keratin, and they have become tougher and flatter. Spiny cellular projections form between the keratinocytes and hold them together. In addition to keratinocytes, the stratum spinosum contains the immunologically active Langerhans cells.

Stratum Granulosum

The next layer above the stratum spinosum is the stratum granulosum. In this layer, keratinocytes have become nearly filled with keratin, giving their cytoplasm a granular appearance. Lipids are released by keratinocytes in this layer to form a lipid barrier in the epidermis. Cells in this layer have also started to die, because they are becoming too far removed from blood vessels in the dermis to receive nutrients. Each dying cell digests its own nucleus and organelles, leaving behind only a tough, keratin-filled shell.

Stratum Lucidum

Only on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, the next layer above the stratum granulosum is the stratum lucidum. This is a layer consisting of stacks of translucent, dead keratinocytes that provide extra protection to the underlying layers.

Stratum Corneum

The uppermost layer of the epidermis everywhere on the body is the stratum corneum. This layer is made of flat, hard, tightly packed dead keratinocytes that form a waterproof keratin barrier to protect the underlying layers of the epidermis. Dead cells from this layer are constantly shed from the surface of the body. The shed cells are continually replaced by cells moving up from lower layers of the epidermis. It takes a period of about 48 days for newly formed keratinocytes in the stratum basale to make their way to the top of the stratum corneum to replace shed cells.

The epidermis has several crucial functions in the body. These functions include protection, water retention, and vitamin D synthesis.

Protective Functions

The epidermis provides protection to underlying tissues from physical damage, pathogens, and UV light.

Protection from Physical Damage

Most of the physical protection of the epidermis is provided by its tough outer layer, the stratum corneum. Because of this layer, minor scrapes and scratches generally do not cause significant damage to the skin or underlying tissues. Sharp objects and rough surfaces have difficulty penetrating or removing the tough, dead, keratin-filled cells of the stratum corneum. If cells in this layer are pierced or scraped off, they are quickly replaced by new cells moving up to the surface from lower skin layers.

Protection from Pathogens

When pathogens such as viruses and bacteria try to enter the body, it is virtually impossible for them to enter through intact epidermal layers. Generally, pathogens can enter the skin only if the epidermis has been breached, for example by a cut, puncture, or scrape (like the one pictured in Figure 10.3.3). That’s why it is important to clean and cover even a minor wound in the epidermis. This helps ensure that pathogens do not use the wound to enter the body. Protection from pathogens is also provided by conditions at or near the skin surface. These include relatively high acidity (pH of about 5.0), low amounts of water, the presence of antimicrobial substances produced by epidermal cells, and competition with non-pathogenic microorganisms that normally live on the epidermis.

 

Protection from UV Light

UV light that penetrates the epidermis can damage epidermal cells. In particular, it can cause mutations in DNA that lead to the development of skin cancer, in which epidermal cells grow out of control. UV light can also destroy vitamin B9 (in forms such as folate or folic acid), which is needed for good health and successful reproduction. In a person with light skin, just an hour of exposure to intense sunlight can reduce the body’s vitamin B9 level by 50 per cent.

Melanocytes in the stratum basale of the epidermis contain small organelles called melanosomes, which produce, store, and transport the dark brown pigment melanin. As melanosomes become full of melanin, they move into thin extensions of the melanocytes. From there, the melanosomes are transferred to keratinocytes in the epidermis, where they absorb UV light that strikes the skin. This prevents the light from penetrating deeper into the skin, where it can cause damage. The more melanin there is in the skin, the more UV light can be absorbed.

Water Retention

Skin's ability to hold water and not lose it to the surrounding environment is due mainly to the stratum corneum. Lipids arranged in an organized way among the cells of the stratum corneum form a barrier to water loss from the epidermis. This is critical for maintaining healthy skin and preserving proper water balance in the body.

Although the skin is impermeable to water, it is not impermeable to all substances. Instead, the skin is selectively permeable, allowing certain fat-soluble substances to pass through the epidermis. The selective permeability of the epidermis is both a benefit and a risk.

• Selective permeability allows certain medications to enter the bloodstream through the capillaries in the dermis. This is the basis of medications that are delivered using topical ointments, or patches (see Figure 10.3.4) that are applied to the skin. These include steroid hormones, such as estrogen (for hormone replacement therapy), scopolamine (for motion sickness), nitroglycerin (for heart problems), and nicotine (for people trying to quit smoking).
• Selective permeability of the epidermis also allows certain harmful substances to enter the body through the skin. Examples include the heavy metal lead, as well as many pesticides.

Vitamin D Synthesis

Vitamin D is a nutrient that is needed in the human body for the absorption of calcium from food. Molecules of a lipid compound named 7-dehydrocholesterol are precursors of vitamin D. These molecules are present in the stratum basale and stratum spinosum layers of the epidermis. When UV light strikes the molecules, it changes them to vitamin D3. In the kidneys, vitamin D3 is converted to calcitriol, which is the form of vitamin D that is active in the body.

Melanin in the epidermis is the main substance that determines the colour of human skin. It explains most of the variation in skin colour in people around the world. Two other substances also contribute to skin colour, however, especially in light-skinned people: carotene and hemoglobin.

• The pigment carotene is present in the epidermis and gives skin a yellowish tint, especially in skin with low levels of melanin.
• Hemoglobin is a red pigment found in red blood cells. It is visible through skin as a pinkish tint, mainly in skin with low levels of melanin. The pink colour is most visible when capillaries in the underlying dermis dilate, allowing greater blood flow near the surface.

Hear what Bill Nye has to say about the subject of skin colour in the video here.

The surface of the human skin normally provides a home to countless numbers of bacteria. Just one square inch of skin normally has an average of about 50 million bacteria. These generally harmless bacteria represent roughly one thousand bacterial species (including the one in Figure 10.3.5) from 19 different bacterial phyla. Typical variations in the moistness and oiliness of the skin produce a variety of rich and diverse habitats for these microorganisms. For example, the skin in the armpits is warm and moist and often hairy, whereas the skin on the forearms is smooth and dry. These two areas of the human body are as diverse to microorganisms as rainforests and deserts are to larger organisms. The density of bacterial populations on the skin depends largely on the region of the skin and its ecological characteristics. For example, oily surfaces, such as the face, may contain over 500 million bacteria per square inch. Despite the huge number of individual microorganisms living on the skin, their total volume is only about the size of a pea.

In general, the normal microorganisms living on the skin keep one another in check, and thereby play an important role in keeping the skin healthy. If the balance of microorganisms is disturbed, however, there may be an overgrowth of certain species, and this may result in an infection. For example, when a patient is prescribed antibiotics, it may kill off normal bacteria and allow an overgrowth of single-celled yeast. Even if skin is disinfected, no amount of cleaning can remove all of the microorganisms it contains. Disinfected areas are also quickly recolonized by bacteria residing in deeper areas (such as hair follicles) and in adjacent areas of the skin.

Because of the negative health effects of excessive UV light exposure, it is important to know the facts about protecting the skin from UV light.

Myth	Reality
"Sunblock and sunscreen are just different names for the same type of product. They both work the same way and are equally effective."	Sunscreens and sunblocks are different types of products that protect the skin from UV light in different ways. They are not equally effective. Sunblocks are opaque, so they do not let light pass through. They prevent most of the rays of UV light from penetrating to the skin surface. Sunblocks are generally stronger and more effective than sunscreens. Sunblocks also do not need to be reapplied as often as sunscreens. Sunscreens, in contrast, are transparent once they are applied the skin. Although they can prevent most UV light from penetrating the skin when first applied, the active ingredients in sunscreens tend to break down when exposed to UV light. Sunscreens, therefore, must be reapplied often to remain effective.
"The skin needs to be protected from UV light only on sunny days. When the sky is cloudy, UV light cannot penetrate to the ground and harm the skin."	Even on cloudy days, a significant amount of UV radiation penetrates the atmosphere to strike Earth’s surface. Therefore, using sunscreens or sunblocks to protect exposed skin is important even when there are clouds in the sky.
"People who have dark skin, such as African Americans, do not need to worry about skin damage from UV light."	No matter what colour skin you have, your skin can be damaged by too much exposure to UV light. Therefore, even dark-skinned people should use sunscreens or sunblocks to protect exposed skin from UV light.
"Sunscreens with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 are adequate to fully protect the skin from UV light."	Most dermatologists recommend using sunscreens with an SPF of at least 35 for adequate protection from UV light. They also recommend applying sunscreens at least 20 minutes before sun exposure and reapplying sunscreens often, especially if you are sweating or spending time in the water.
"Using tanning beds is safer than tanning outside in natural sunlight."	The light in tanning beds is UV light, and it can do the same damage to the skin as the natural UV light in sunlight. This is evidenced by the fact that people who regularly use tanning beds have significantly higher rates of skin cancer than people who do not. It is also the reason that the use of tanning beds is prohibited in many places in people who are under the age of 18, just as youth are prohibited from using harmful substances, such as tobacco and alcohol.

 

Attributions

Figure 10.3.1

Sunburn by QuinnHK at English Wikipedia on Wikimedia Commons is released into the public domain (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain).

Figure 10.3.2

Blausen_0353_Epidermis by BruceBlaus on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0) license.

Figure 10.3.3

Isaac's scraped knee close-up by Alpha on Flickr is used under a CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/) license.

Figure 10.3.4

Nicoderm by RegBarc on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) license. (No machine-readable author provided for original.)

Figure 10.3.5

Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, MRSA by Microbe World on Flickr is used under a CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/) license.

References

Blausen.com staff. (2014). Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436.

Jeff Bone 'n' Pookie. (2020, July 19). Bill Nye the science guy explains we have different skin color. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOkj5jgC4sM&feature=youtu.be

SciShow. (2014, July 15). Why do we blush? YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AcQXnOscQ8

TED. (2015, July 17). Jonathan Eisen: Meet your microbes. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27lMmdmy-b8

TED-Ed. (2016, February 16). The science of skin color - Angela Koine Flynn. YouTube. https://youtu.be/_r4c2NT4naQ

The ability of an organism to maintain constant internal conditions despite external changes.

Biological molecules that lower amount the energy required for a reaction to occur.

A hormone is a signaling molecule produced by glands in multicellular organisms that target distant organs to regulate physiology and behavior.

The process by which DNA is copied.

Image shows a diagram of Thrombocytes in their normal state and activated.
Thrombocytes (platelets) are typically ovoid during normal circulation, but when activated become super fibrous. The not activated platelets look like very smooth and the activated platelets look like sea anemones- lots of little projects sticking out of their surface.

Created by CK-12/Adapted by Christine Miller

The Thinker

You've probably seen this famous statue created by the French sculptor Auguste Rodin. Rodin's skill as a sculptor is especially evident here because the statue — which is made of bronze — looks so lifelike. How does a bronze statue differ from a living, breathing human being or other living organism? What is life? What does it mean to be alive? Science has answers to these questions.

To be classified as a living thing, most scientists agree that an object must have all seven of the traits listed below. Humans share these characteristics with other living things.

1. Homeostasis
2. Organization
3. Metabolism
4. Growth
5. Adaptation
6. Response to stimuli
7. Reproduction

Homeostasis

All living things are able to maintain a more-or-less constant internal environment. Regardless of the conditions around them, they can keep things relatively stable on the inside. The condition in which a system is maintained in a more-or-less steady state is called homeostasis. Human beings, for example, maintain a stable internal body temperature. If you go outside when the air temperature is below freezing, your body doesn't freeze. Instead, by shivering and other means, it maintains a stable internal temperature.

Living things have multiple levels of organization. Their molecules are organized into one or more cells. A cell is the basic unit of the structure and function of living things. Cells are the building blocks of living organisms. An average adult human being, for example, consists of trillions of cells. Living things may appear very different from one another on the outside, but their cells are very similar. Compare the human cells and onion cells in Figures 2.2.3 and 2.2.4. What similarities do you see?

 

Metabolism

All living things can use energy. They require energy to maintain internal conditions (homeostasis), to grow, and to execute other processes. Living cells use the "machinery" of metabolism, which is the building up and breaking down of chemical compounds. Living things can transform energy by building up large molecules from smaller ones. This form of metabolism is called anabolism. Living things can also break down, or decompose, large organic molecules into smaller ones. This form of metabolism is called catabolism.

Consider weight lifters who eat high-protein diets. A protein is a large molecule made up of several small amino acids. When we eat proteins, our digestive system breaks them down into amino acids (catabolism), so that they are small enough to be absorbed by the digestive system and into the blood. From there, amino acids are transported to muscles, where they are converted back to proteins (anabolism).

Growth

All living things have the capacity for growth. Growth is an increase in size that occurs when there is a higher rate of anabolism than catabolism. A human infant, for example, has changed dramatically in size by the time it reaches adulthood, as is apparent from the image below. In what other ways do we change as we grow from infancy to adulthood?

 Adaptations and Evolution

An adaptation is a characteristic that helps living things survive and reproduce in a given environment. It comes about because living things have the ability to change over time in response to the environment. A change in the characteristics of living things over time is called evolution. It develops in a population of organisms through random genetic mutations and natural selection.

Response to Stimuli

All living things detect changes in their environment and respond to them. These stimuli can be internal or external, and the response can take many forms, from the movement of a unicellular organism in response to external chemicals (called chemotaxis) to complex reactions involving all the senses of a multicellular organism. A response is often expressed by motion; for example, the leaves of a plant turning toward the sun (called phototropism).

Click through the images below: the venus fly trap, the cat, and the flower are all showing response to a stimuli.

Figure 2.2.6 Examples of responses to environmental stimuli. 

Reproduction

All living things are capable of reproduction, the process by which living things give rise to offspring. Reproduction may be as simple as a single cell dividing to form two daughter cells, which is how bacteria reproduce. Reproduction in human beings and many other organisms, of course, is much more complicated. Nonetheless, whether a living thing is a human being or a bacterium, it is normally capable of reproduction.

Feature: Myth vs. Reality

Myth: Viruses are living things.

Reality: The traditional scientific view of viruses is that they originate from bits of DNA or RNA shed from the cells of living things, but that they are not living things themselves. Scientists have long argued that viruses are not living things because they do not exhibit most of the defining traits of living organisms. A single virus, called a virion, consists of a set of genes (DNA or RNA) inside a protective protein coat, called a capsid. Viruses have organization, but they are not cells, and they do not possess the cellular "machinery" that living things use to carry out life processes. As a result, viruses cannot undertake metabolism, maintain homeostasis, or grow.

They do not seem to respond to their environment, and they can reproduce only by invading and using "tools" inside host cells to produce more virions. The only traits viruses seem to share with living things is the ability to evolve adaptations to their environment. In fact, some viruses evolve so quickly that it is difficult to design drugs and vaccines against them! That's why maintaining protection from the viral disease influenza, for example, requires a new flu vaccine each year.

Within the last decade, new discoveries in virology (the study of viruses) suggest that this traditional view about viruses may be incorrect, and that the "myth" that viruses are living things may be the reality. Researchers have discovered giant viruses that contain more genes than cellular life forms, such as bacteria. Some of the genes code for proteins needed to build new viruses, which suggests that these giant viruses may be able — or were once able — to reproduce without a host cell. Some of the strongest evidence that viruses are living things comes from studies of their proteins, which show that viruses and cellular life share a common ancestor in the distant past. Viruses may have once existed as primitive cells, but at some point they lost their cellular nature and became modern viruses that require host cells to reproduce. This idea is not so far-fetched when you consider that many other species require a host to complete their life cycle.

 

Attributions

Figure 2.2.1

The Thinker MET 131262, by Auguste Rodin, 1910, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is in the public domain (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain).

Figure 2.2.2

Homeostasis: Figure 4, by OpenStax College, Biology is used under a CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0) license. Download for free at http://cnx.org/contents/04fdb865-17a1-43d8-bb33-36f821ddd119@7.

Figure 2.2.3

Human cheek cells, by Joseph Elsbernd, 2012, on Flickr, is used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/) license.

Figure 2.2.4

Onion cells 2, by Umberto Salvagnin, 2009, on Flickr, is used under a CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/) license.

Figure 2.2.5

Photo (family) by Jakob Owens on Unsplash is used under the Unsplash License (https://unsplash.com/license).

Figure 2.2.6

• Trap of Dionaea muscipula by che on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC BY-SA 2.5 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.en) license.
• Plants leaning towards the sunlight from Pxhere is used under a CC0 1.0 universal
  public domain dedication license (https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/).
• Surprised young cat by Watchduck (a.k.a. Tilman Piesk) on Wikimedia Commons is used under a CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0) license.

Figure 2.2.7

Bacteriophages, by Dr. Graham Beards, is used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) license.

References

Ameoba Sisters. (2017, October 26). Characteristics of life. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQPVXrV0GNA&feature=youtu.be

OpenStax. (2016, March 23). Figure 4 The body is able to regulate temperature in response to signals from the nervous system. In OpenStax, Biology (Section 33.3). OpenStax CNX. http://cnx.org/contents/185cbf87-c72e-48f5-b51e-f14f21b5eabd@10.8.

Wikipedia contributors. (2020, June 14). Adaptation. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Adaptation&oldid=962556016

Wikipedia contributors. (2020, June 21). Auguste Rodin. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Auguste_Rodin&oldid=963668399

Wikipedia contributors. (2020, June 22). Chemotaxis. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chemotaxis&oldid=963884872

Wikipedia contributors. (2020, June 22). Evolution. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Evolution&oldid=963929880

Wikipedia contributors. (2020, June 20). Phototropism. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Phototropism&oldid=963567791

Wikipedia contributors. (2020, June 22). Virus. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Virus&oldid=963829311

 

A rigid organ that constitutes part of the vertebrate skeleton in animals.

Created by CK-12 Foundation/Adapted by Christine Miller

Pictured in Figure 10.2.1, is Maud Stevens Wagner, a tattoo artist from 1907. Tattoos are not just a late 20th and early 21st century trend. They have been popular in many eras and cultures. Tattoos literally illustrate the biggest organ of the human body: the skin. The skin is very thin, but it covers a large area — about 2 m² in adults. The skin is the major organ in the integumentary system.

In addition to the skin, the integumentary system includes the hair and nails, which are organs that grow out of the skin. Because the organs of the integumentary system are mostly external to the body, you may think of them as little more than accessories, like clothing or jewelry, but they serve vital physiological functions. They provide a protective covering for the body, sense the environment, and help the body maintain homeostasis.

The skin is remarkable not only because it is the body’s largest organ: the average square inch of skin has 20 blood vessels, 650 sweat glands, and more than 1,000 nerve endings. Incredibly, it also has 60,000 pigment-producing cells. All of these structures are packed into a stack of cells that is just 2 mm thick. Although the skin is thin, it consists of two distinct layers: the epidermis and dermis, as shown in the diagram (Figure 10.2.2).

Outer Layer of Skin

The outer layer of skin is the epidermis. This layer is thinner than the inner layer (the dermis). The epidermis consists mainly of epithelial cells, called keratinocytes, which produce the tough, fibrous protein keratin. The innermost cells of the epidermis are stem cells that divide continuously to form new cells. The newly formed cells move up through the epidermis toward the skin surface, while producing more and more keratin. The cells become filled with keratin and die by the time they reach the surface, where they form a protective, waterproof layer. As the dead cells are shed from the surface of the skin, they are replaced by other cells that move up from below. The epidermis also contains melanocytes, the cells that produce the brown pigment melanin, which gives skin most of its colour. Although the epidermis contains some sensory receptor cells — called Merkel cells — it contains no nerves, blood vessels, or other structures.

Inner Layer of Skin

The dermis is the inner, thicker layer of skin. It consists mainly of tough connective tissue, and is attached to the epidermis by collagen fibres. The dermis contains many structures (as shown in Figure 10.2.2), including blood vessels, sweat glands, and hair follicles, which are structures where hairs originate. In addition, the dermis contains many sensory receptors, nerves, and oil glands.

Functions of the Skin

The skin has multiple roles in the body. Many of these roles are related to homeostasis. The skin’s main functions are preventing water loss from the body and serving as a barrier to the entry of microorganisms. Another function of the skin is synthesizing vitamin D, which occurs when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. Melanin in the epidermis blocks some of the UV light and protects the dermis from its damaging effects.

Another important function of the skin is helping to regulate body temperature. When the body is too warm, for example, the skin lowers body temperature by producing sweat, which cools the body when it evaporates. The skin also increases the amount of blood flowing near the body surface through vasodilation (widening of blood vessels), bringing heat from the body core to radiate out into the environment. The sweaty hair and flushed skin of the young man pictured in Figure 10.2.3 reflect these skin responses to overheating.

Hair is a fibre found only in mammals. It consists mainly of keratin-producing keratinocytes. Each hair grows out of a follicle in the dermis. By the time the hair reaches the surface, it consists mainly of dead cells filled with keratin. Hair serves several homeostatic functions. Head hair is important in preventing heat loss from the head and protecting its skin from UV radiation. Hairs in the nose trap dust particles and microorganisms in the air, and prevent them from reaching the lungs. Hair all over the body provides sensory input when objects brush against it, or when it sways in moving air. Eyelashes and eyebrows (see Figure 10.2.4) protect the eyes from water, dirt, and other irritants.

Fingernails and toenails consist of dead keratinocytes filled with keratin. The keratin makes them hard but flexible, which is important for the functions they serve. Nails prevent injury by forming protective plates over the ends of the fingers and toes. They also enhance sensation by acting as a counterforce to the sensitive fingertips when objects are handled. In addition, the fingernails can be used as tools.

The skin and other parts of the integumentary system work with other organ systems to maintain homeostasis.

• The skin works with the immune system to defend the body from pathogens by serving as a physical barrier to microorganisms.
• Vitamin D is needed by the digestive system to absorb calcium from food. By synthesizing vitamin D, the skin works with the digestive system to ensure that calcium can be absorbed.
• To control body temperature, the skin works with the cardiovascular system to either lose body heat, or to conserve it through vasodilation or vasoconstriction.
• To detect certain sensations from the outside world, the nervous system depends on nerve receptors in the skin.

National Geographic. (2008). Scarification | National Geographic. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lfhot7tQcWs&t=1s

TED-Ed. (2018, March 12). The science of skin - Emma Bryce. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxPlCkTKhzY&feature=youtu.be

TED-Ed. (2013, August 6). Why do we have to wear sunscreen? - Kevin P. Boyd. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSJITdsTze0&feature=youtu.be