Final answer:
Layers of dead keratinized cells are found in the epidermis of the skin, specifically in the stratum corneum, which is the surface layer. The epidermis is the correct answer where keratin-filled cells, once alive in the stratum basale, migrate upward, become keratinized, and die to form the protective surface.
Step-by-step explanation:
Location of Dead Keratinized Cells in the Skin
The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin, which is where layers of dead keratinized cells can be found. The deepest layer within the epidermis is the stratum basale, where new keratinocytes are produced. As they migrate upwards, these cells accumulate keratin, lose their nuclei, and become dead keratinized cells by the time they reach the surface, forming the stratum corneum. This is the layer that provides a barrier against water loss and pathogen entry. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is A. Epidermis.
Function of the Dermis and Hypodermis
The dermis lies beneath the epidermis and contains connective tissue, blood vessels, nerves, and muscles as well as hair follicles and glands like sweat and sebaceous glands. Below the dermis and epidermis is the hypodermis, consisting of fatty tissue that provides insulation and padding to the skin.
The basement membrane acts as a divider between the dermis and epidermis, ensuring organized interaction between these two skin layers.