Washington Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

Where are pigment granules produced?

1. Keratinocytes

2. Melanocytes

3. Fibroblasts

4. Chromatophores

The correct answer is: Melanocytes

Pigment granules, specifically melanin, are produced in melanocytes. These specialized cells are located primarily in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. Melanocytes play a crucial role in determining skin color and providing protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. The process by which melanocytes produce melanin is called melanogenesis. Keratinocytes, on the other hand, are the predominant cell type in the epidermis, responsible for forming the protective outer barrier of the skin, but they do not produce pigment granules themselves; instead, they absorb and distribute melanin produced by melanocytes. Fibroblasts are cells found in the dermis that primarily produce collagen and elastin, contributing to the skin's structural integrity rather than pigment. Chromatophores are pigment-containing cells found in other organisms such as reptiles, fish, and amphibians, which can change color due to the movement of pigment granules, but they are not involved in human skin pigmentation. Thus, the primary function of melanocytes in pigment granule production makes this the correct answer.