Milady Cosmetology Practice Exam

The cells in the stratum germinativum, also known as the basal layer of the epidermis, primarily produce melanin, which is the pigment responsible for skin color. Melanin is produced by specialized cells called melanocytes found in this layer. When the skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, melanocytes increase the production of melanin as a protective response, helping to absorb harmful UV rays and prevent DNA damage in skin cells. Keratin is a protein that forms the structure of skin, hair, and nails but is produced in the upper layers of the epidermis. Hemoglobin, found in red blood cells, carries oxygen in the bloodstream and contributes to skin color indirectly through the vascularization of the dermis, but it is not a product of the stratum germinativum. Collagen, a structural protein found in the dermis, provides strength and elasticity to the skin and is produced primarily by fibroblasts rather than cells in the stratum germinativum. Therefore, the correct answer emphasizes the role of melanocytes in producing melanin specifically in the stratum germinativum.