Final answer:
The dermis is the skin layer that tends to thin with age, leading to wrinkling and slower wound healing due to the decrease in collagen and elastin production. Option a.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question is option a. With aging, one of the notable changes within the integumentary system is that the dermis, which is the inner and thicker layer of skin, tends to thin.
The dermis is comprised mainly of tough connective tissue, including collagen and elastin, which are responsible for the skin's elasticity and resilience. As we age, there is a decrease in collagen and elastin production, as well as a reduction in the ability of the dermis to regenerate, which results in wrinkling of the skin due to structural breakdown.
Furthermore, because the dermis contains many vital structures such as blood vessels, sweat glands, and hair follicles, its thinning can lead to slower wound healing and contribute to other effects of skin aging.
It's worth noting that while the hypodermis does lose structure with age and can lead to sagging of the skin, it is not the primary cause for wrinkles. So Option a.