Final answer:
The cells in the stratum spinosum appear spiny due to the desmosomes that interlock, not because of cytoplasm shrinkage. This artifact is a result of the staining process in histology, not the natural state of the cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is false; the spiny appearance of the cells in the stratum spinosum is not due to shrinkage of the cytoplasm but rather due to the presence of cell processes that interlock via desmosomes. The appearance of spines occurs as an artifact of the histological preparation and staining processes, where the cells shrink and the desmosomes appear more prominent. The stratum spinosum includes several layers of keratinocytes and plays a role in the skin's immune response through Langerhans cells, which act as macrophages.