Florida Certified Clinical Electrologist Practice Exam

The process described is keratinization in the epidermis. In the lower, or basal, layer, cells divide to replenish the skin. As these cells rise toward the surface, they synthesize keratin, a tough, fibrous protein, and accumulate it. This keratin fills the cells as they move upward, eventually forming the dead, keratin-rich cells of the outermost layer that create a protective, waterproof barrier. That’s why keratin is the substance produced in this process.

Melanin is produced by melanocytes in the epidermis and affects coloration, but it isn’t produced during this keratin-producing maturation. Collagen and elastin come from fibroblasts in the dermis, not the epidermis, so they aren’t part of this keratinization process.