Match the following epidermal layer with the correct term.This layer is water resistant and A. Stratum germinativum or basalecontains 20-30 layers of deadkeratinized cells.Keratinocytes start producing B. Stratum Corneumkeratin and keratohyalin here.By the time keratinocytes cellsreach this layer, most wouldhave stopped dividing.This glassy layer is present only C. Stratum Granulosumin thick skin (palms and soles).This layer contains keratinocytes D. Stratum Spinosumundergoing mitosis.Melanocytes and Merkel cellsare found in this layer.This layer contains epidermaldendritic cells, also known asLangerhans cells.E. Stratum Lucidum

Skin is a physical barrier that protects the body from outside damage like heat, dust, infectious agents, and extreme weather. Skin is made of epidermal cells. Melanin is a pigment in the skin cells that gives coloration to the skin.The stratum corneum is the outer layer of the epidermis which is made of dead keratinized cells of 20 – 20 cells. This layer is hard enough to permit water and other agents to pass inside the cells. Hence the correct answer is Stratum corneum.Stratum granulosum is the layer just above the Stratum spinosum and below the stratum corneum. This layer is characterized by keratin and keratohyalin with histidine and cysteine enriched proteins. Hence the correct answer is Stratum granulosum.Stratum lucidum is the gassy layer of dead cells in the skin especially at the sole of feet and palms. This layer is confined only to the foot sole and palm to give a thick appearance. Hence the correct answer is Stratum lucidum.Stratum germinativum or basale is the deepest layer of the skin where the keratin cells undergo mitosis. This layer is characterized by Merkel cells that are involved in light reception. Hence the correct answer is Stratum germinativum or basale.Stratum spinosum is the layer of the epidermis just above the stratum basale and beneath the stratum lucidum. This layer contains Langerhans cells which involve in the innate immune defense mechanism to the host. Hence the correct answer is Stratum spinosum.