Which type of skin cell is involved in the formation of hair and nails?

The correct answer is germinative cells, which are essential in the growth and formation of hair and nails. These cells are located in the hair follicles and the nail matrix. They undergo mitosis, leading to the generation of new cells that migrate upward and differentiate to form the structure of hair and nails.

Germinative cells are primarily responsible for producing keratin, a fibrous protein that makes up the structure of hair and nails, contributing to their strength and resilience. The proliferation of these cells is crucial for the growth cycle of hair and nails.

In contrast, autonomic cells do not play a direct role in the formation of hair and nails and are more associated with the autonomic nervous system. Pili cells refer to hair structure but do not specify the cell type that contributes to hair formation. Finally, while keratinocytes are involved in keratin production and are found in the epidermis, they are not specifically identified as the germinative cells that initiate the growth of hair and nails.