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Correct Answer: pigment cells
the integumentary system, comprising the skin, is the body's largest organ and system. within this system, the epidermis serves as the outermost layer. the primary question here is to identify which structures would be found in the epidermis.
the correct answer is pigment cells. pigment cells, also known as melanocytes, are indeed found in the epidermis. these cells produce melanin, the pigment responsible for giving skin its color. melanin plays a crucial role in protecting the skin from ultraviolet radiation. the presence of these pigment cells in the epidermis contributes to varying skin tones and also aids in the body's natural defense against uv damage.
the other options listed – hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and capillaries – are not located in the epidermis but rather in the dermis, which is the layer just beneath the epidermis. hair follicles are the structures from which hair grows, and they extend from the deep dermis to the surface of the skin. sebaceous glands are associated with hair follicles and secrete an oily substance called sebum that helps to keep the skin moisturized and protected. capillaries, which are small blood vessels, are also located in the dermis. they help supply nutrients and oxygen to the skin and remove waste products.
in summary, the epidermis mainly comprises cells including living and dead keratinocytes, melanocytes (pigment cells), and other types of cells involved in immune response. it lacks the vascular structures such as blood vessels found in the dermis and does not contain hair follicles or sebaceous glands, which are embedded deeper in the skin structure within the dermis.
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