Psoriasis involves skin cell division at about how many times the normal rate?

Psoriasis involves skin cell division at about how many times the normal rate?

• A. 2x greater
• B. 10x greater
• C. 5x greater
• D. 1000x greater

Answer: (D)

Psoriasis is driven by a dramatic rise in skin cell production, with keratinocytes proliferating far faster than in normal skin. This hyperproliferation shortens the time it takes for cells to move from the bottom layer to the surface, speeding turnover from the usual month-long cycle to just a few days. That kind of extreme acceleration leads to the thick, scaly plaques characteristic of the condition. Among the options, the multiplier that conveys this very large increase best matches what happens in psoriasis, so the 1000-fold rise is identified as the correct choice. The smaller multipliers underestimate the speed of turnover and don’t reflect how rapidly immature cells accumulate in psoriatic skin.

Psoriasis is driven by a dramatic rise in skin cell production, with keratinocytes proliferating far faster than in normal skin. This hyperproliferation shortens the time it takes for cells to move from the bottom layer to the surface, speeding turnover from the usual month-long cycle to just a few days. That kind of extreme acceleration leads to the thick, scaly plaques characteristic of the condition. Among the options, the multiplier that conveys this very large increase best matches what happens in psoriasis, so the 1000-fold rise is identified as the correct choice. The smaller multipliers underestimate the speed of turnover and don’t reflect how rapidly immature cells accumulate in psoriatic skin.