BLG 10A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Stratum Basale, Keratinocyte, Intermediate Filament
Document Summary
5 integumentary system pre-lecture questions + check your understanding. Keratinocytes: produce keratin, the fibrous protein that helps give epidermis protective properties, arise from stratum basale. Melanocytes: spider-shaped epithelial cells that synthesize the pigment melanin (black), found in stratum basale. Langerhans cells: star-shaped cells that arise from bone marrow and migrate to epidermis. They ingest foreign substances and are key activators in our immune system. Spiky hemisphere, each tactile cell is intimately associated with a disk-like sensory ending. The combination (called merkel disc), functions as a sensory receptor for touch. Deepest epidermal layer, attached to underlying dermis. Mostly consists of single row of stem cells (continually renewing cell population) representing the youngest keratinocytes. When one basal cell divides, one daughter cell is pushed up to specialize into a mature keratinocyte, the other daughter cell remains to continue process of producing new keratinocytes. Some melanocytes (branching extends to stratum spinosum) and tactile cells are seen in this stratum.
