Functions of integument

 Functions of Integument

The integument performs various types of Functions for which is adapted in different vertebrates.

These are as follows.

1. PROTECTION:- The integument is basically a protective organ forming an envelope around the body.

It protects the body by followings means.

• Protection against mechanical injury. Integument protects body from pressure, friction and any other mechanical blow. Etc.

• As mechanical barrier. The outer most covering of the integument is waterproof and germproof due to the process of keratinization.

• Protection by secretion. Sweat and oil glands present in the integument kills or inactivate bacteria and resist development of Fungi.

• Protective coloration. The integument of a few animals have variety of colours which help those animals to protect attack by the process of mimicry.

• Extra protection by derivatives. In various vertebrates, integument has derivatives like scales, bony plates, feathers, and hair for extra protection.

2. Locomotion. The derivatives of integument modify to perform locomotion as

• In case of fishes they have fin and fin rays which help them in swimming.

• Petagia of bats and flying lizards help them In flying and gliding.

• Webs of skin between digits of aquatic birds and frogs.

• Adhesive pads of amphibians and claws of insects and lizards help them in climbing.

3. Secretion. The integument serves an organ of secretion. Skin have a large no. of Glands which secrete mucus.

• Aquatic animals have the mucus glands in skin which makes the skin of these animals moist and slippery.

• In case of birds, there is a gland in their called Uropigial gland for preening of feathers.

• Some animals secrete pheromones for mating.

• Sebaceous glands in mammals secrete sebum which help in moistening the skin and make the skin Ph- acidic (Ph-3) (lactic and fatty acids) so that bacteria cannot grow in the skin.

• Mammary glands produce milk for the nourishment of young ones.

• Tears for the Lachrymal gland wash the conjunctiva of mammalian eye ball.

• Auditory meatus gland secrete an earwax, the cerumen, to grease eardrums and to entrap insects that enter the ear

4. Dermal endoskeleton. In species like sturgeons, crocodile, and turtles the dermal layer modifies into a tough dermal endoskeleton. In head, it protects the brain and sense organs. Else where it protects internal soft organs from compression.

5. Food storage. Aquatic animals store like seals and whales store fat in their skin that fat is called blubber which help them In food storage.

          In terrestrial animals like bears the fat is called subcutaneous fat.

6. Temperature control. There are two types of animals which maintain their body temperature

• Cold blooded:-Body temperature changes with change in environment

• Warm blooded:- Their body temperature does not change with change in temperature.

Warm blooded have fur, feather, and scales help in insulating and thus conserving heat.

                                 And on other hand when environment is warm, sweat glands produce sweat which give cooling effect.

7. Excretion. Removal of excess amount of water, salt and urea from body.

                  Skin sweats and removes waste material from body.

                  Marine fishes have secretory cells in their gills.

                  Snakes shed their skin within waste material.(Ecdysis)

8. Sensation. The skin also act an organ of sensation. It has various types of modified cells that are sensitive to stimuli of touch, pain, change in pressure and moisture, heat and cold, chemicals etc.

9. Sexual selection. Skin also act an organ of sexual selection by providing brilliant colours for sexual attraction.

10. Synthesis of vitamin D. The skin can synthesise vitamin-D when exposed to sunlight.