The Integumentary System

Integument- a tough outer protective layer, especially that of an animal or plant.

Chromatophore- a cell or plastid that contains pigment
Mimicry- the close external resemblance of an animal or plant (or part of one) to another animal, plant, or
inanimate object.
Ecdysis- is the moulting of the cuticle in many invertebrates of the clade Ecdysozoa. Since the cuticle of
these animals typically forms a largely inelastic exoskeleton, it is shed during growth and a new, larger
covering is formed. The remnants of the old, empty exoskeleton are called exuviae.
Phylogeny- refers to the evolutionary history of a taxonomic group of organisms.
Chitin- A tough, semitransparent substance that is the main component of the exoskeletons of arthropods,
such as the shells of crustaceans and the outer coverings of insects. Chitin is also found in the cell walls
of certain fungi and algae. Chemically, it is a nitrogenous polysaccharide (a carbohydrate).
Cuticle- In some higher plants, the cuticle is a water-impervious protective layer covering the epidermal
cells of leaves and other parts and limiting water loss. It consists of cutin, a waxy, water-repellent
substance allied to suberin, which is found in the cell walls of corky tissue.
Dermal- Dermal tissue is a thin layer of cells covering the soft parts of a plant.
Epidermal- Pertaining to the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin.
Sebaceous gland- a small gland in the skin which secretes a lubricating oily matter (sebum) into the hair
follicles to lubricate the skin and hair.

Nail- A nail is a horn-like envelope covering the tips of the fingers and toes in most primates and a few
other mammals. Nails are similar to claws in other animals. Fingernails and toenails are made of a tough
protective protein called alpha-keratin.
Horn- The horns of an animal such as a cow or deer are the hard pointed things that grow from its
head. Horn is the hard substance that the horns of animals are made of. ... A horn is a simple musical
instrument consisting of a metal tube that is wide at one end and narrow at the other. You play it by
blowing into it.
Hoof- is the tip of a toe of an ungulate mammal, strengthened by a thick, horny, keratin covering.
... Hooves are generally cited as limb structures restricted to placental mammals, which unlike other
mammal groups undergo prolonged pregnancies.
Antler- are extensions of an animal's skull found in members of the deer family. They are true bone and
are a single structure. They are generally found only on males, with the exception of the caribou. ... Horns
are never shed and continue to grow throughout the animal's life.
Hair- hair is composed of keratin, a strong fibrous protein, and is built from cells similar to those of
your skin. The average number of hairs on the human scalp is 120,000, although blondes tend to have
more and redheads less. Hair is a remarkable fibre.
Finger print- re the tiny ridges, whorls and valley patterns on the tip of each finger. They form from
pressure on a baby's tiny, developing fingers in the womb. ... Fingerprints are made of an arrangement
of ridges, called friction ridges. Each ridge contains pores, which are attached to sweat glands under the
skin.
Sweat gland- Sweat glands, also known as sudoriferous or sudoriparous glands, from Latin
sudor, meaning 'sweat', are small tubular structures of the skin that produce sweat. Sweat glands are a
type of exocrine gland, which are glands that produce and secrete substances onto an epithelial surface
by way of a duct.
Feather- A feather is a growth from the skin, much like a hair, that forms the plumage of birds. It is an
integral part of a bird's biology, both physically and behaviorally.
Scales- a scale (Greek λεπίς lepis, Latin squama) is a small rigid plate that grows out of an animal's skin
to provide protection. ... Scales are generally classified as part of an organism's integumentary system.
There are various types of scales according to shape and to class of animal.
Fins- A fin is a thin component or appendage attached to a larger body or structure. ... Fish, and other
aquatic animals such as cetaceans, actively propel and steer themselves with pectoral and tail fins. As
they swim, they use other fins, such as dorsal and anal fins, to achieve stability and refine their
maneuvering.