Discussion

DUE: SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15TH AT 11AM EST

Marcus was fed up with the way his face looked. He had just found some more dark-colored spots on his chin, which would add to his already ample collection of pimples. For Marcus, starting high school was stressful enough without also having to worry about his face breaking out. He had talked to his doctor about his acne just the other day. The doctor said Marcus should be very diligent about washing his face. She told Marcus the pimples form when his skin grows quickly and makes too much of a protein, called keratin, in the process. The keratin mixes with the oils on his skin to form a cement-like material that can clog up some of his gland pores. Washing his face frequently would help to keep the extra oil and keratin from building up. The doctor also warned Marcus not to irritate or pick at the pimples, even though they might feel painful or pressured. She said he might cause permanent scars if he irritated the pimples too much. She recommended some soaps and lotions that Marcus could use to help combat the acne, and Marcus is excited to finally get some relief by using them.

Questions

1. Given that acne relates to “oils” on Marcus’s skin, describe the type of gland you think is most directly related to acne and the pimples that result.

2. The doctor recognized that Marcus’s pimples were causing discomfort, including pain

and pressure. What features in the epidermis and dermis are likely sensing these feelings

of discomfort?

3. Scars are a sign of incomplete tissue repair, but the skin system is known for its ability to repair itself quite efficiently after damage. Propose an explanation for why permanent scars might form on Marcus’s face if he irritates his pimples by frequently picking at his skin.