Final answer:
The incorrect pairing is 'Tactile cells: anchor the skin to the body'. Tactile cells, or Merkel cells, respond to light touch and connect to nerve endings, not anchor the skin.
Step-by-step explanation:
The incorrect pairing from the given options is d) Tactile cells: anchor the skin to the body. Tactile cells, also known as Merkel cells, are responsible for responding to light touch and connecting to nerve endings in the dermis, not for anchoring the skin to the body. The correct pairings are a) Melanin: provides protection against UV radiation, b) Keratinocytes: produce a fibrous protein to protect the epidermis, and c) Langerhans cells: activate the immune system.
Melanocytes in the epidermis produce the pigment melanin, which helps protect the underlying tissues from the damaging effects of UV light. Langerhans cells are also found in the epidermis; they function as part of the immune system by detecting and fighting pathogens that enter the skin. Meanwhile, the keratinocytes form the majority of epidermal cells and produce keratin, a protein that contributes to the structural strength of the epidermis.