Final answer:
Merkel cells, which are sensitive to light touch and fine details, are used to identify objects like cell phones by touch; they are located at the tip of the epidermal sweat ridges.
Step-by-step explanation:
When searching for a cell phone through a book bag by touch, the mechanoreceptors used to identify the phone by its edges, points, and curves are the Merkel cells, also known as type I cutaneous mechanoreceptors. These receptors are found in the upper layers of skin, specifically at the tip of the epidermal sweat ridges, which would be option A: Merkel, tip of the epidermal sweat ridges. Merkel cells respond to light touch and are highly sensitive to fine details and surfaces, making them crucial for discerning the texture and shape of objects without visual cues.