Mindanao State University

College of the Natural Science and Mathematics

Fatima, Uhaw, General Santos City

PHYSIOLOGY

Group Report No. 02

The Integument

Acana, Charisse Faye

Caete, Naidine Mae
Mantoya, Vincent Paul
Rabe, Shiphrah Lois
Roxas, Rizza Jean Faith

Abstract
 The integumentary system consists of the skin, hair, nails, glands, and
nerves. The skin is known as the largest organ of an animals body. Aside
from acting as a barrier on our body to the outside world, the skin has
fingerprints which gives us better grip due to the friction it gives and these
fingerprints have different pattern which is unique to each person. In this
exercise, carbon paper, charcoal powder, and iodine crystals are the main
materials used in obtaining the fingerprints of five people. After getting the
fingerprint database, iodine fuming, and dusting with charcoal powder,
fingerprints were collected and categorized whether they are arch, whorl,
loop. The results showed that 56% of the fingerprints were loop, 32% were
whorl, and 12% were arch. It was observed that the five persons fingerprint
patterns differ from each other and that a persons fingerprint pattern on
each finger is unique. In plotting the distribution of sweat glands of the two
volunteers, one showed numerous active glands present while the other did
not. This means that the number of active sweat glands also differs from
each person.

Introduction

The integumentary system is made up of the largest organ in the body

by weight, the skin (a strong yet flexible covering of our bodies), and its
accessory structures (Shier et. al, 2009). The word integument is of Latin
origin: integere" meaning to cover. It refers to the hardened, waterproof,
cushioning, bacteria- and chemical-resistant outer enveloping layer of an
organism. The skin is a complex combination of tissues that perform
functions necessary for human survival. It helps maintain body temperature,
receives stimuli from the environment, and stores chemical compounds. The
skin also acts as a protective covering keeping underlying tissues from
harmful light rays and from drying out.
 A fingerprint is the impression made by the papillary ridges on the
ends of the fingers. Fingerprints afford an infallible means of personal
identification, because the ridge arrangement on every finger of
every human being is unique and does not alter with growth or age (Hoover,
2017).

Fingerprints have been the standard for personal identification within

the forensic community for more than one hundred years. Fingerprints and
finger marks combine to provide the most powerful means of personal
identification available to police and courts. The basic patterns of fingerprints
are loops, whorls and arches that can be found in fingerprints (Kaushal &
Kaushal, 2011).

On the other hand, sweat glands are coiled tubular glands that are
found in the dermis or lower part of the skin. They produce a watery
secretion and open on to the skin to help control body temperature and
provide an emotional response to stimulus. When we sweat the moisture on
our body evaporates and provides a cooling effect for the body. There are 2
to 4 million sweat glands found across the human body.

At the end of the exercise, we aimed to draw and label parts of the
integument, describe and compare thick and thin skin, explain the
distribution of sweat glands in the human body, identify and analyze
fingerprint types, develop a fingerprint database, and demonstrate various
techniques in fingerprint collection and identification.

METHODOLOGY
 The group performed two types of activity for the integument exercise.
First is plotting the distribution of sweat glands and second, the techniques
use for fingerprinting.

Plotting Distribution of Sweat Glands. The method for plotting sweat

glands includes the use of iodine. Two volunteers were tasked to obtain two
(2) clean 1x1 cm squares of bond paper. A cotton swab was then used to get
ample amount of iodine solution that was painted on a small area of the
palm and wrist. Equal amount of iodine was applied for both areas. This was
done three times and the applied paint on the areas was larger than the
paper squares. During painting, one must avoid creases.

After the solution was dried completely, each paper square was taped
on the iodine-painted areas making sure the paper squares were secured.
Then the volunteers waited for 20 minutes while doing other activities. After
20 minutes, the paper squares were removed. Blue-black dots must be
present in each paper square and be counted. This indicates an active sweat
gland. Documentation was taken and the data was plotted into a graph to
show the distribution of sweat glands in the palm and wrist.

Fingerprinting

Fingerprint Database. The group obtained an unused carbon paper to

perform the procedure. Next, each member pressed the tip of their fingers
(thumb, index, middle, ring and pinky) on the carbon paper. Pressing it with a
medium touch and gently rolling it from right to left. Afterwards, finger was
held up and immediately placed with a strip of clear tape on the carbon-
covered section. The tape was removed gently and recorded it on the data
sheet. Using a magnifying glass, each fingerprint was categorized as arch,
whorl or loop.
Techniques in Fingerprint Collection and Identification. First technique
performed was iodine fuming. A clean bond paper about 5x5 must be clear
with any fingerprints was cut. Forceps was used to handle the paper to
minimize touching. Each member used the left thumb to rub against the
nose picking up the oil. Slowly roll the finger across the paper. Then, the
piece of paper was placed into a jar with iodine crystals. It was sealed and
left for approximately 20 minutes until fingerprints starts to appear or
develop. After which, the fingerprints were categorized as to arch, whorl or
loop.
Second technique was dusting with powder. A clean glass slide was used
without touching it. So, forceps were needed to pick up the glass slide.
Again, the volunteers rubbed their left thumb against the nose and slowly
rolled the thumb on the slide. Afterwards, a brush was used to pick some
black dusting powder (charcoal) and dusted it on the slide with gentle
circular motion. The slide was tapped on it edge to remove excess powder.
The group made sure that there were fingerprint marks when being dust with
the powder. Next, a piece of clear tape was put over the print, stick it down,
rubbed very lightly and lifted the tape. The fingerprint was now attached on
the clear tape and ready for analysis. The thumb prints were categorized as
arch, whorl or loop.
Conclusion

After conducting the experiment wherein five persons were obtained

fingerprint samples, it was concluded that fingerprint patterns differ from
each finger and person. On the other hand, the number of sweat glands
present also differs from each person.

References:

Developing Fingerprints. March 2004.

http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/webprojects2002/thomson/fingerprints2.htm.

Fingerprinting. March 2004.

http://bennettkids.homestead.com/fingerprinting.html.

Fingerprinting: A Lesson on Classification. February 2004.

http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/agesubject/lessons/prints.h
tml#backlink2

Hoover, J.E. (2017). Fingerprint. In Encyclopedia Brittanica. Retrieved from

https://www.britannica.com/topic/fingerprint

http://www.open.edu/openlearn/science-maths-technology/science/health-
sciences/forensic-science-and-fingerprints/content-section-1.4

Kaushal N, Kaushal P(2011) Human Identification and Fingerprints: A Review.

J Biomet Biostat 2:123. doi:10.4172/2155-6180.1000123

Lennard, Christopher. Fingerprint Patterns. February 2004.

http://www.policensw.com/info/fingerprints/finger07.html.
Moore, Greg. The History of Fingerprints. 17 February 2003. 15 February
2004. http://onin.com/fp/fphistory.html.

Shier, D. N., Butler, J., & Lewis, R. (2009). Shier, holes essentials of human
anatomy & physiology (C) 2010, 12e, student edition (reinforced
binding) (12th ed.). New York, NY: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill Post Secondary.

What is a Fingerprint? February 2004.

http://www.ridgesandfurrows.homestead.com/fingerprint.html.