Cells in the _______ begin to fill with keratohyaline and lamellated granules that lead to the degeneration of nuclei and other organelles and ultimate cell death.

The stratum granulosum is the correct answer because this layer of the epidermis is specifically known for the process of keratinization. In the stratum granulosum, cells begin to accumulate keratohyaline granules and lamellar bodies, which contain lipids. The keratohyaline granules play a crucial role in the aggregation of keratin filaments, while the lipids contribute to the barrier function of the skin.

As these granules accumulate, the cells undergo a transformation characterized by the breakdown of their nuclei and other organelles, ultimately leading to cell death. This process is vital for the formation of the outer protective layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, which consists of dead keratinized cells. Understanding the changes occurring in the stratum granulosum is essential in studying skin physiology and the overall process of epidermal renewal and barrier function.