Question

Which of the following is where melanocytes are found?

a. epidermis
b. dermis
c. hypodermis
d. sebaceous glands

Answer 1

Melanocytes are located in the epidermis, specifically the stratum basale layer, and are responsible for producing the pigment melanin that protects against UV light.

Step-by-step explanation:

The melanocytes, which are cells that produce the pigment known as melanin, are found in the epidermis of the skin, particularly in the stratum basale layer. Melanin is essential as it protects the skin from ultraviolet (UV) light damage. The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin and is responsible for the protective barrier function of the skin. While melanocytes constitute about 8 percent of the epidermal cells, they play a vital role in determining skin color and protecting the underlying dermis from UV radiation.

Answer 2

Melanocytes are found in the epidermis, specifically in the stratum basale layer, and are responsible for producing melanin which gives the skin its color and protects it from UV radiation (option a).

Step-by-step explanation:

Melanocytes are a type of skin cell responsible for producing the pigment known as melanin, which gives color to the skin and also protects against the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. Melanocytes are found in the epidermis, specifically in the stratum basale, which is the bottom layer of the epidermis. Despite people having roughly the same number of melanocytes, variations in skin color are mainly due to the different amounts of melanin produced by these cells, influenced by genetics and UV exposure. The dermis, which is beneath the epidermis, contains different components such as blood vessels, sweat glands, and hair follicles, but not melanocytes.

Hence, the answer is option a.