Which statement best describes melanocytes?

Which statement best describes melanocytes?

• A. Cells that produce melanin
• B. Immune cells in epidermis
• C. Cells that phagocytose bacteria
• D. Cells that produce collagen

Answer: (A)

Melanocytes are pigment-producing cells in the epidermis. They manufacture melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color and helps shield skin cell DNA from UV damage by transferring pigment to nearby keratinocytes. These cells sit mainly in the basal layer and extend processes to distribute melanin to surrounding cells. This sets them apart from other skin cells: immune cells in the epidermis like Langerhans cells handle immune functions, phagocytosis is performed by macrophages and similar cells, and collagen is produced by fibroblasts in the dermis.

Melanocytes are pigment-producing cells in the epidermis. They manufacture melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color and helps shield skin cell DNA from UV damage by transferring pigment to nearby keratinocytes. These cells sit mainly in the basal layer and extend processes to distribute melanin to surrounding cells. This sets them apart from other skin cells: immune cells in the epidermis like Langerhans cells handle immune functions, phagocytosis is performed by macrophages and similar cells, and collagen is produced by fibroblasts in the dermis.