Which cell type constitutes the majority of the epidermis?

Prepare for the Minnesota Advanced Esthetics Test with flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Ensure you're exam-ready!

Keratinocytes are the predominant cell type in the epidermis, making up about 90% of the cells in this outermost layer of skin. These cells derive from the basal layer and continuously proliferate, moving upward through the strata of the epidermis while undergoing a process called keratinization. As they rise, they gradually lose their nuclei and cytoplasmic organelles, ultimately forming a protective layer of dead, flattened cells filled with keratin, a tough protein that provides a barrier against environmental damage, pathogens, and water loss.

This significant presence of keratinocytes is crucial for the skin's overall function, including protection, sensation, and thermoregulation. Other cell types listed in the options serve different roles; for example, adipocytes are fat cells primarily found in the subcutaneous layer, and fibroblasts are responsible for producing collagen and elastin in the dermis, not the epidermis. Melanocytes, which produce melanin responsible for skin pigmentation, are also present in the epidermis but in much smaller numbers compared to keratinocytes.

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