Final answer:
Merkel cells are small epidermal cells involved in the sensation of light touch and are less than 1 percent of epidermal cells. The exact size of Merkel cells is not given, but they are likely within the range of a few micrometers, similar in scale to other cell types like red blood cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The size of a Merkel cell, which is a type of epidermal cell responsible for the sense of touch, is less than 1 percent of all epidermal cells. Merkel cells are quite small, but the exact size can vary. For comparison, a typical human red blood cell is about eight micrometers (um) in diameter, and since we know that Merkel cells are part of the epidermis, which is on a microscopic scale, it is reasonable to estimate that Merkel cells are also within the range of a few micrometers.
Merkel cells are connected to nerve endings in the dermis and function as receptors that respond to light touch, shapes, and textures. These cells are found in less proportion compared to other types of cells in the epidermis, such as Langerhans cells which account for about 1 percent, indicating the rarity of Merkel cells.