Washington Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What characteristic is unique to the basal cell layer of the skin?

1. It is the outermost layer of skin

2. It undergoes cell division continuously

3. It contains the highest concentration of melanin

4. It is responsible for skin coloration

The correct answer is: It undergoes cell division continuously

The characteristic unique to the basal cell layer of the skin is that it undergoes cell division continuously. The basal layer, also known as the stratum basale, is the deepest layer of the epidermis and is primarily responsible for generating new skin cells. This layer contains keratinocytes, which are formed through continuous mitotic divisions, leading to the upward movement of older cells to the surface of the skin. This constant regeneration is essential for maintaining the skin's structure and function. The other choices describe functions or characteristics of different layers of the skin or processes not specific to the basal layer. The outermost layer of skin refers to the stratum corneum, which is involved in barrier protection but does not undergo cell division. The highest concentration of melanin is found in the melanocytes, primarily located in the epidermis but not exclusively within the basal layer. Skin coloration is more related to the activity of melanocytes and the distribution of melanin throughout the layers of the skin rather than being a function of the basal layer alone.