Organisms are composed of atoms that form molecules that form macromolecules (Shier, Butler, & Lewis, 2009). These molecules join and form organelles that structure cells and tissues (p.3). Tissues form organs and organs working together form an organ system (p3). These organ systems constitute the organism (p3). Each organ system has an important function in the body. These systems all work together to maintain and support the conditions that cells, tissues, and organs need to function properly. There is a system that is not as well known as another; this is the intergumental system. Most people are familiar with the organs of the intergumental system, but they do not know that these organs work together to form this system. The intergumental system is composed of the skin and skin-related structures, including hair, nails, sensory receptors, and glands (Shier, Butler, & Lewis, 2009). This system has an important function since it protects the body, helps maintain body temperature, and contains sensory receptors (p.117). The skin, which is the largest organ of the body and an organ of the intergumental system, has essential functions such as regulating homeostasis and body temperature, also delaying water loss from deeper tissues, storing the sensory receptors, synthesizing biomechanical elements and removing waste from the body. body (p.117). The skin has two layers: the epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (inner layer) (p.117). There is also a subcutaneous layer or hypodermis (Shier, Butler, & Lewis, 2009). According to Shier, Butler and Lewis 2009, "as the name suggests, this layer lies beneath the skin and not an actual layer of skin." This layer contains the blood vessels which su...... middle of paper ......glands help balance body temperature (p.124). The fluid that these eccrine glands secrete is transported out of the body through a tube that has an opening to the outside like a pore (p.124). Another sweat gland is the apocrine gland which is activated at puberty. According to Shier, Butler and Lewis 2009, "these glands secrete by the same mechanism as eccrine glands, usually when a person is emotionally upset, frightened, in pain, or during sexual arousal." Other sweat glands are the serum-secreting glands and the female mammary glands that secrete milk (p.124). Nails which are another accessory of the skin cover and protect the tips of the fingers and toes (Shier, Butler and Lewis). , 2009). Nails have a lunula which is the growth area of ​​the nail (p.122). This means that if the lunula is damaged, the nail will likely not grow back..