Wound Care Certified Certification (WCC) Practice Exam

Which layer of the skin is responsible for the generation of new cells?

1. Epidermis

2. Dermis

3. Hypodermis

4. Stratum corneum

The correct answer is: Epidermis

The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin and is primarily responsible for the generation of new cells. Within the epidermis, the basal layer, or stratum basale, is where mitosis occurs, leading to the creation of new keratinocytes. These new cells gradually move up through the layers of the epidermis, differentiating and keratinizing as they progress until they reach the outermost layer, where they ultimately slough off. This regenerative capacity is crucial for the maintenance of skin integrity and barrier function, especially in response to injury or wear. In contrast, the dermis, which lies beneath the epidermis, contains connective tissues, blood vessels, and other structures, but it does not play a direct role in creating new epidermal cells. The hypodermis, or subcutaneous layer, primarily serves as insulation and fat storage, while the stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the epidermis made up of dead keratinized cells, which does not produce new cells.