Question at position 12 The cells of the epidermis that produce pigment to help protect deeper cells and tissues from UV light areMerkel cellskeratinocytesLangerhans cellsmelanocytesClear my selectionSingle choice
A
Merkel cells
B
keratinocytes
C
Langerhans cells
D
melanocytes

Question

Question at position 12 The cells of the epidermis that produce pigment to help protect deeper cells and tissues from UV light areMerkel cellskeratinocytesLangerhans cellsmelanocytesClear my selection

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Melanocytes produce melanin, the pigment that absorbs and scatters ultraviolet (UV) radiation, protecting deeper epidermal and dermal cells.

1) Relevant knowledge points and concepts
- The epidermis contains several specialized cell types: keratinocytes, melanocytes, Langerhans cells, and Merkel cells.
- Melanocytes synthesize melanin (via tyrosinase from the amino acid tyrosine) and package it into melanosomes.
- Melanosomes are transferred to neighboring keratinocytes, where melanin accumulates above the keratinocyte nucleus to shield DNA from UV.
- Functionally, keratinocytes provide barrier and structural proteins (keratin), Langerhans cells are antigen-presenting immune cells, and Merkel cells are mechanoreceptors involved in touch.

2) Step-by-step reasoning
- The question asks which epidermal cells produce pigment that protects deeper cells from UV.
- Identify the pigment: melanin is the epidermal pigment responsible for UV protection.
- Determine which epidermal cell type synthesizes melanin: melanocytes synthesize melanin in melanosomes.
- Therefore the correct cell type is melanocytes.

3) Calculations/intermediate steps
- No numerical calculations are required; reasoning is conceptual and based on cell function and biochemistry (tyrosinase-mediated melanin synthesis).

4) Why the correct answer is correct
- Melanocytes are located in the stratum basale of the epidermis and synthesize melanin specifically to absorb UV radiation and reduce DNA damage in epidermal cells and the dermis. Their melanosomes are distributed into keratinocytes to form a protective cap over nuclei.

5) Why the other options are incorrect
- Merkel cells: specialized touch receptors (not pigment producers).
- Keratinocytes: major epidermal cells that produce keratin and receive melanin but do not synthesize pigment.
- Langerhans cells: dendritic immune cells that present antigens, not pigment producers.

6) Conclusion
This explains why the correct answer is melanocytes, matching the provided answer.

Question at position 12 The cells of the epidermis that produce pigment to help protect deeper cells and tissues from UV light areMerkel cellskeratinocytesLangerhans cellsmelanocytesClear my selectionSingle choice

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