Nerve bundles in the subcutaneous tissue branch into the stratum granulosum layer and respond to:

The correct answer is related to the specific function of nerve bundles that branch into the stratum granulosum layer of the skin. These nerve endings are primarily responsible for detecting sensations such as pain. The stratum granulosum is one of the layers of the epidermis, and although it plays a role in forming the skin barrier and contributing to the overall health of the skin, the response to stimuli such as pain is crucial for alerting the body to potential harm or injury.

Nerve bundles transmit signals that result in the perception of pain when tissues are damaged or when there is a risk of injury. This protective mechanism is essential for survival, as it prompts a response to avoid further harm. The other sensations—temperature, touch, and pressure—are typically mediated by different types of nerve receptors located in various depths of the skin or within different skin layers, such as the deeper dermal layer rather than directly in the stratum granulosum. Thus, pain perception is directly linked to the function of nerve bundles in that layer, making it the correct response to the query.