Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

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Prepare for the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Test with focused study methods including flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Practice with hints and detailed explanations to boost your readiness for the exam.

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Which structure is responsible for producing melanin in the skin?

Dermis
Germinal layer
Epidermis
Subcutaneous layer

The correct answer is: Germinal layer

The germinal layer, also known as the stratum basale or the basal layer of the epidermis, is where melanocytes are found. These specialized cells are responsible for the production of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color and provides some protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This layer is the deepest part of the epidermis and is crucial for the regeneration of skin cells. Melanocytes within this layer produce melanin, which is then transferred to keratinocytes, the predominant cell type in the epidermis. The distribution and amount of melanin produced by melanocytes determine skin tone and can vary significantly among different individuals. Other skin structures like the dermis, epidermis (as a whole, which includes the germinal layer), and the subcutaneous layer play various roles in skin function, protection, and connectivity, but they do not directly produce melanin. The dermis primarily provides structure and support, the overall epidermis serves as a protective barrier, and the subcutaneous layer is involved in insulation and shock absorption.