Which statement correctly describes the epidermis?

• A. It is the outer, thinner layer of the skin composed of living and dead skin cells.
• B. It contains blood vessels and nerves.
• C. It stores fat.
• D. It is the deepest layer of skin.

Answer: (A)

The epidermis is the outer, thinner layer of the skin that is made up of living and dead skin cells. It forms the protective barrier that shields the body from environmental damage and water loss. The cells at the base are alive and divide to replenish the surface; as they move outward, they flatten and die, becoming the dead, keratin-filled cells you see on the skin’s surface. The epidermis has no blood vessels—nutrients reach it from the underlying dermis. Fat storage, meanwhile, happens in the deeper hypodermis (subcutaneous tissue) beneath the dermis. The deepest skin layer is the dermis, which contains blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and glands. So the description of the epidermis as the outer, thinner layer composed of living and dead skin cells is the best match.