Which of the following is listed as a characteristic of the epidermis?

• A. Contains melanin
• B. Contains melanin
• C. Distictive stratified
• D. Sebaceous glands

Answer: (A)

Melanin presence is a defining feature because melanocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis produce melanin and transfer it to keratinocytes, giving skin its color and helping shield skin from UV radiation. Sebaceous glands, which secrete oil, are located in the dermis, not the epidermis. The epidermis is a stratified squamous epithelium, but the concrete testable point most people recall is that it contains melanin. That’s why this statement best identifies a characteristic of the epidermis.