Integument


Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Wikipedia.

integument

1. the protective layer around an ovule that becomes the seed coat
2. the outer protective layer or covering of an animal, such as skin or a cuticle

Integument

 

the part of the ovary on seed plants that encloses the nucellus (the central part of the ovary). The ovaries of a number of plants have one integument, while others, particularly in the monocotyledonous plants, have two. After fertilization the integument turns into a seed coat.

Integument

 

in animals, including man, the tissues that cover the body and perform protective, tactile, metabolic (including gas exchange), and excretory functions. The integument sometimes performs the function of feeding, associated with the complete reduction of the intestine in tapeworms, acanthocepha-lans, and Pogonophora. Thermoregulation is sometimes a function of the integument.

In most invertebrates the integument consists of cutaneous epithelium, or epidermis, which is of ectodermal origin. It includes a mesodermal connective-tissue layer, or derma, in such invertebrates as nemertines and cephalopod mollusks and in vertebrates, including man. Derivatives of the integument are cutaneous glands, cuticles, the chitinous armor of arthropods, the shells of mollusks, scales, feathers, hair, claws, and nails.

integument

[in′teg·yə·mənt]
(anatomy)
An outer covering, especially the skin, together with its various derivatives.
Mentioned in ?
References in periodicals archive ?
This is done in order to remove grains that are broken during hydration or have had their integument broken, and to remove foreign material that may have remained in the grain mass after the cleaning stage.
Industrial processing of canned beans/Revisao: processamento industrial do feijao tipo enlatado
The outer integument overgrew the inner integument and completely enclosed the nucellus.
Microsporogenesis, Megasporogensis and Male and Female Gametophyte Development in Feijoa sellowiana (Myrtaceae)
Using tensile testing, gross dissection, histology, and simple modeling, we aimed to identify features of hagfish integument that could aid in the production and manipulation of body knots in an attempt to understand why these fishes possess loose-fitting skins that are of little, if any, benefit to thrust production and steady swimming.
Material properties of hagfish skin, with insights into knotting behaviors
alata confirms the statement of Tokuoka and Tobe (2003) that the ovules of the subtribe Dalechampiinae, including Dalechampia, presents a vascularized outer integument, which is unknown in the subtribes Plukenetiinae and Trigiinae.
Floral morphology and anatomy of Dalechampia alata Klotzsch ex Baill
The collapse of the integument and the increase in the cavity, observed in the nine species, were also evidenced in other species, as Vernonia cinerea Less.
Seed characters and their usefulness in the separation of Asteraceae species/Caracteres de sementes e sua utilidade na separacao de especies de Asteraceae
Moreover, integuments are extremely difficult to remove without harm.
Cryopreservation of Byrsonima intermedia embryos followed by room temperature thawing/Criopreservacao de embrioes de Byrsonima intermedia seguido de descongelamento em temperatura ambiente
In the absence of aryl containing chemical inhibitors to germination, the impermeable integument may be the main cause of lack of access to moisture (RAMOS and ZANON, 1986).
Effects of pre-germination treatments and storage on germination of Astronium fraxinifolium Schott (Anacardiaceae) diaspores/Efeitos de tratamentos pre-germinativos e do armazenamento na germinacao de diasporos de Astronium fraxinifolium Schott (Anacardiaceae)
Megaconus confirms that many modern mammalian biological functions related to skin and integument had already evolved before the rise of modern mammals," said Luo, who was also part of the team that first discovered evidence of hair in pre-mammalian species in 2006.
165-mln-yr-old ancestor proves fur evolved in mammals earlier than believed
Keep the Body Clean and Well Groomed and Protect the Integument
Utilizing Henderson's nursing theory in childbirth education
Integument of head and thorax rugose, densely pitted.
Oshwea dubiosa rediscovered in Uganda
Prior to the historical commencement of the English commoners' struggle against enclosures and privatizing innovations of the market in the eighteenth century, the commons served traditionally as an essential integument in binding the feudal class structure.
Introduction
The body's integument, while covered in bruises, takes on shades of the prevailing season red in summer and blue in winter--as young men need their daily fix of the sun, no matter what the outside temperature.
The occupational illnesses of grandparents

Encyclopedia browser ?
Full browser ?