Final answer:
Intermediate filaments composed of keratin and collagen fibers are the primary structures providing strength in the animal epidermis, helping to maintain cell shape and resist mechanical stresses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main structures providing strength in animal epidermis are intermediate filaments and collagen fibers. Collagen fibers are protein fibers that give skin its strength and resilience. They provide structural support and help the skin withstand tension and stretching. Intermediate filaments, such as keratin, are fibrous proteins that strengthen the epidermis, hair, and nails. They contribute to the overall integrity and durability of the epidermal layer.
Intermediate filaments, particularly those composed of keratin, are essential for maintaining cell shape, structure, and resistance to tension.
They help cells to withstand mechanical stresses and play a significant role in anchoring organelles within cells. Additionally, they form special cell-to-cell junctions known as desmosomes, which further contribute to tissue strength and coherence. Collagen fibers, found within the dermis layer beneath the epidermis, are equally important for providing strength and elasticity to the skin.