Cells of the epidermis
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Transcript of Cells of the epidermis
Cells of the Epidermis
Cell of the Epidermis
There are several different cells in the epidermis:
• Keratinocytes•Melanocytes• Langerhans cells
Keratinocytes• Keratinocytes (basal
cells) make up the majority of cells in the epidermis. They produce keratin. Keratin is present in most cells of the epidermis. As a cell moves towards the skin’s surface, the amount of keratin increases.
• KERATIN – an insoluble protein which makes the cell more resilient.
Melanocytes• They produce the
pigment melanin which gives colour to the skin and hair.
• Melanin granules are formed in the melanocytes which pass along finger-like projections called dendrites that inject melanin into the surrounding skin cells.
Langerhans Cells
• Specialised white blood cells which circulate in the skin.
• They are cells of the immune system which remove cell debris and pathogens.