Integument Skin

The outer most layer of the skin or Epidermis contains stratified squamous, keratinized, epithelial tissue; which lacks blood vessels, and the cells are packed closely together (Sloane, 1994, p.85)

Chimpanzees have what is called melanin, which is a dark brown pigment that protects them from UV radiation. Melanin is a natural sunscreen, which filters out UV radiation. It is been proven that people with high concentration of melanin in their skin heading to come from tropical areas and it has protected them from skin cancer. After all of this research, Jablonski and Chaplin then ask, “what role melanin might play in human evolution?” (170).

It develops in the melanocytes, which are cells that produce melanin that gives the skin its pigment or color and protects tissues from ultra violet radiation. Dark skinned people have more melanin than light skinned people do. For this reason, Melanomia is more frequent in light skinned people. (“Detailed description “, 2000, P.2

The skin is divided into three different parts including the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin. This region of the skin has no blood cells or blood vessels running through it. All of the nutrients that the epidermis needs are received through diffusion from the dermis. The epidermis is made up of stratified squamous epithelial cells. The epidermis is made of five separate layers: the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, and the stratum corneum. Starting at the innermost layer, the stratum basale is where mitosis of keratinocytes takes place. This layer of the epidermis also contains melanocytes which give the skin it’s pigment. As mitosis takes place in the stratum

The three layers that make up healthy skin: Epidermis, Dermis and Hypodermis. Epidermis is composed of keratinized, stratified squamous epithelium. This layer provides a thick, water proof protective covering over the underlying skins. The dermis layer is composed of primarily of dense, irregular, fibrous connective tissue that is rich in collagen and elastin. The dermis contains blood vessels, nerve ending, and epidermally derived cutaneous oranges such as sweat glands, sebaceous glands and hair follicles. The last layer is Hypodermis this layer is composed primarily of loose dead skin. The fat layer provides cushioning and insulation for

Vitiligo is a chronic skin disorder that affects the pigmentation of the skin. Pigment is what gives the skin color and is produced by cells called melanocytes. In the disorder, the body attacks the melanocytes resulting in the loss of color in patchy areas. When the color is lost, the affected area becomes a white irregular shaped patch on the outer layer of the skin. Vitiligo can affect a very small portion of the body or affect up to fifty percent of the skin. The most common areas of the body affected by the disorder include the hands, feet, arms, face and sometimes the genitalia. This illness can be treated but it cannot be cured

Two times of melanin are produced within the body, one is called eumelanin and it is responsible for the golden brown color we normally associate with tanning. Another pigment is called pheomelanin and it produces a red color. Redheads and blondes produce more pheomelanin and less eumelanin, which is why they don't tan as well. Sunlight and ultraviolet rays affect the pituitary gland, a gland at the base of the brain that secretes hormones, which then produces melanocyte-stimulating hormone. This hormone flows through the bloodstream to the melanocytes, which makes them able to produce more melanin. (The Science of Tanning)

There are three primary layers of the skin: the outer layer, the epidermis and the layer beneath, the dermis and the hypodermis. The epidermis is thin, tough and waterproof while protecting the body from outside bacteria invading the body. It also contains keratinocytes which are from the basal layer which is the deepest layer of the skin. The keratinocytes reach up to the epidermis, shed and new ones form again. The dermis is the second layer of the skin and is the thickest. It is made from fibrous and elastic tissues which are made from fibrillin, elastin and collagen to create the strength and flexibility. It also contains sweat and oil glands, nerve endings, blood vessels and hair follicles. Sweat glands help the body cool off during heat

The layers of the epidermis from deep to most superficial are the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum grandulosum, stratum lacidum, and the stratum corneum. Each of these layers are unique due to the type of cells located in them which they are named after. They all together make up the epidermis, an avascular, superficial, and made up of epithelial cells.

The mutations that cause MAS occur at a site in the protein that normally lead to inactivation by GTPase. The inactivation leads to ongoing stimulation of adenylyl cyclase and high levels of cAMP. High cAMP results in hyper endocrine responses, even in the absence of stimulating hormones, affecting melanin, growth hormone, cortisol and thyroid hormones among others. The disorder shows clinical presentations in the skeletal, integumentary and endocrine

People with albinism should protect their skin and eyes from the sun, which can be done by avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun and using sunscreen with a high SPF rating (20 or higher). Covering up completely with clothing when exposed to the sun and wearing sunglasses with UV protection help protect their skin and eyes. Individuals with vision problems may need corrective lenses and should also have regular follow-up exams with an ophthalmologist, but in rare cases, surgery may be needed. Individuals with albinism should also have regular skin assessments to screen for skin cancer. The skin sunburns easily and is highly susceptible to precancerous and cancerous growths from exposure to ultraviolet light. In ocular albinism, however, only the eyes lack melanin, while the skin and hair show normal or near-normal color. Either condition may suffer from variety of eye disorders because lack of pigment impairs normal eye development. Treatment for ocular albinism includes use of visual aids and sometimes surgery for strabismus. People with albinism are advised to us sunblock and to wear dark glasses and protective clothing when going outdoors, and sunglasses worn indoor to reduce light intensity and make more

Stratum Corneum this layer is the outer most layers; it is formed from numerous layers of compressed scale- like, overlapping cells. What makes up the surface of the skin is corneocytes, which are commonly called ‘dead skin cells’. Keratinocytes are found in the epidermis they travel up through the layer where they are formed into corneocytes. The stratum corneum layer protects against lights, chemicals, water loss, heat and bacteria.

Human pigmentation is influenced by hemoglobins within blood vessels in the skin, carotene and melanins. Melanin, the basis of pigmentation, can be found in the forms of eumelanin and phaeomelanin. Eumelanin is the brown-black pigment located in the skin, hair, and eyes. Phaeomelanin is a yellow to reddish-brown pigment found in small quantities within the skin, eyes, and red hair. Because of these two pigments, to a greater or lesser degree, we have the variation

Three other genes make proteins that are also involved in melanin pigment formation and albinism, but the exact role of these proteins remains unknown. These genes are the P gene on chromosome 15, the Hermansky--Pudlak syndrome gene on chromosome 10, and the ocular albinism gene on the X chromosome.

Albinism is a condition that is inherited from both parents where a person is born with a lack of the usual amount of the pigment melanin. Melanin is the main substance that determines what color hair, eyes, and skin tone someone will have. Albinism is also a rare mutation that affects very few people worldwide, though in some places more than others. The symptoms are quite unique for those who have it as well. Some tribes and small villages even kill or exile those with the mutation.