Final answer:
The dermis comprises about 50-70% of the skin and contains connective tissue, blood vessels, and sensory receptors. It lies beneath the epidermis and above the fatty hypodermis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dermis is the layer of skin located beneath the epidermis and is composed of tough connective tissue. It hosts several vital structures such as blood vessels, sweat glands, oil glands, and sensory nerve endings. The dermis provides structural strength, elasticity, and a sensory connection to the external environment.
In contrast, the epidermis is the thin, outermost layer of the skin, and the hypodermis lies below the dermis, mainly consisting of fatty tissue. While melanin is a pigment produced by melanocytes found within the epidermis and is responsible for skin color, it does not make up a significant portion of the skin's mass.