Final answer:
Melanocytes produce the melanin that colors and protects the skin, while Merkel cells, located in the stratum basale layer, respond to touch and are particularly abundant on the hands and feet.
Step-by-step explanation:
Epidermal Cells: Melanocytes and Merkel Cells
The epidermis, the outer layer of the skin, includes several types of cells, among which melanocytes and Merkel cells are significant for their unique functions. Melanocytes are responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin and hair their color and helps protect against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. These cells connect to many keratinocytes, which make up about 90% of the epidermal cells and are vital for forming the protective, waterproof barrier of the skin.
Merkel cells, on the other hand, are located in the stratum basale and are involved in the sense of touch. They are less than 1% of epidermal cells but are crucial for stimulating sensory nerves that the brain interprets as touch, particularly on the surfaces of the hands and feet where they are most abundant.
Together, melanocytes and Merkel cells contribute to the skin's pigmentation and sensory perception, revealing the epidermis' complexity and function.