Final answer:
The stratum granulosum is the epidermal layer where cells first die due to the inability to receive nutrients and oxygen.
Step-by-step explanation:
The layer of the epidermis in which cells first die because of their inability to get nutrients and oxygen is the stratum granulosum.
In this layer, keratinocytes become nearly filled with keratin and start to die because they are too far from the blood vessels in the dermis to receive essential nutrients. The stratum granulosum acts as a barrier to form a lipid layer that protects the skin but also leads to the death of its own cells due to the lack of nutrient supply.