Anatomy & Physiology

[Nurse2BB]

In my homework, I have the following question. Explain what will happen if the epidermis blocked all UV radiation from reaching the blood vessels in the dermis? Of course, I am aware of the harmful and beneficial effects of UV rays on the skin, but what that has to do with the dermal blood vessels? Please help. It's due on Monday. Thanks.

[Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN]

Well as far as i know Ulatrviolet rays/light help destroy viruses by messing up the protein they synthesize to duplicate within cells. SO if our skin blocked out all UV light from reaching blood vessels we maybe be sicker along with being pink since no Melanin would be created thus giving us the pinkish glow of blood.

Just a theory btw

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

what about Vit. D synthesis?

[leslie :-D]

w/o uv radiation, we would be vitamin d deficient...

unless you choose to take supplements or eat lots of fatty fish and/or cod liver oil.

vit d increases calcium, phosphorous absorption.

it plays an important role in skeletal development, immunity and formation of blood cells.

so, w/o it, we risk having porous bones, compromised immunity and we'd be darned pale.

i can tolerate a lot...

but not being pale.

heh.

leslie

[chadash]

In my homework, I have the following question. Explain what will happen if the epidermis blocked all UV radiation from reaching the blood vessels in the dermis? Of course, I am aware of the harmful and beneficial effects of UV rays on the skin, but what that has to do with the dermal blood vessels? Please help. It's due on Monday. Thanks.

There is a neat and nifty reaction that generates cholecalciferol on the skin when UV light is absorbed. Cholecalciferol ( vitamin D) is required in the gut to absorb calcium.

My understanding is that years back there was a big problem with rickets with children of African descent who lived in Chicago. The combined problem of long winters with reduced sun exposure, and the children’s skin color reducing absorption caused this problem. This led to the fortification of milk with vitamin D.

This might not be the answer though, because I don't see where there would have to be an actual encounter with the UV and blood vessels. It would be the cholecalciferol that would have to be carried by the blood vessels. Does the reaction happen in the epidermis or the dermis?

Learned this a couple years ago while taking notes for a handicapped student. Sorry, that is all I remember.

But the short answer might be, that if inadequate UV radiations is absorbed, and vitamin D synthesis does not occur, this may result in vit D deficiency, and the unfortunate inability to absorb adequate calcium in the gut. Result: rickets in children or osteomalacia in adults.