paraphrase the following • Stratum basale (stratum germinativum; pronounced stray-tum bay-say-lee or stray-tum germ-in-a-tie-vum). The stratum basale is in the deepest layer of your epidermis. New skin cells develop in this layer. It also contains the keratinocyte (cur-at-in-o-site) stem cells, which produce the protein keratin. Keratin helps form hair, nails and your skin’s outer layer, which protect you from the harsh environment. It also contains melanocytes (mel-ann-o-sites), which are responsible for producing melanin, which provides the pigment of your epidermis.

• Stratum spinosum (pronounced stray-tum spin-o-sum). The stratum spinosum is between the stratum basale and granulosum layers. This layer mostly consists of keratinocytes held together by sticky proteins called desmosomes (dez-mo-soam). The stratum spinosum helps make your skin flexible and strong.

• Stratum granulosum (pronounced stray-tum gran-yoo-lo-sum). The stratum granulosum is between the stratum spinosum layer and the stratum lucidum layer. Keratinocytes have granules within them, which are visible under a microscope in this layer.

• Stratum lucidum (pronounced stray-tum loo-sid-um). The stratum lucidum is between the stratum granulosum and the stratum corneum. It’s a thin, transparent layer of keratinocytes that are becoming less round and have a flatter shape.