Skin Layers and Immune Cells Overview

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Questions and Answers

What cellular process is most active in the stratum spinosum?

Phagocytosis
Meiosis
Mitosis (correct)
Apoptosis

Why are the spinelike extensions seen in histological slides of the stratum spinosum considered artifacts?

They are formed from the intermediate filaments within the cell.
They are caused by excess keratin accumulation.
They are caused by the staining process.
They are the result of cell shrinkage during tissue preparation while connected at desmosomes. (correct)

Which protein is the main component of the intermediate filaments found in the stratum spinosum?

Actin
Collagen
Elastin
Pre-keratin (correct)

What is the primary function of dendritic cells in the stratum spinosum?

<p>To initiate an immune response (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Through what specific process do dendritic cells uptake foreign antigens in the stratum spinosum?

<p>Receptor-mediated endocytosis (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Stratum Spinosum

A layer of the epidermis with several cell layers, where cell division occurs but at a slower rate compared to the basal layer.

Intermediate Filaments in Stratum Spinosum

These are thick bundles of protein pre-keratin, found within the cells of the stratum spinosum, that provide resistance to tension and contribute to skin's strength.

Dendritic Cells in Stratum Spinosum

These star-shaped cells are part of the immune system, located in the stratum spinosum.

Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis by Dendritic Cells

This process is used by dendritic cells to capture foreign proteins (antigens) that have entered the epidermis.

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Dendritic Cells' Role in Immune Response

After capturing antigens in the epidermis, dendritic cells leave the skin and travel to a lymph node, where they initiate an immune response.

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Study Notes

Stratum Spinosum Characteristics

Several cell layers thick
Mitosis occurs, but less frequently than in the basal layer
Cells contain numerous spine-like extensions (artifacts from tissue preparation, not present in living cells). These extensions are due to desmosomes.
Contains thick bundles of intermediate filaments, made of pre-keratin (a tension-resisting protein).
Contains dendritic cells (part of the immune system).

Dendritic Cell Function

Star-shaped
Patrol the outer skin surface
Use receptor-mediated endocytosis to engulf foreign proteins (antigens)
Travel to lymph nodes to initiate immune response against cells carrying the antigen.