cells forming the outermost layer of skin, providing protection
Skin cells, also known as epidermal cells, are the primary cells that make up the outermost layer of the skin, called the epidermis. These cells play a crucial role in providing a protective barrier against environmental damage, pathogens, and water loss. They include various types such as keratinocytes, which produce the protein keratin, melanocytes, which produce the pigment melanin, and Langerhans cells, which are involved in immune responses.