Melanin: definition: Melanin is a broad term for a group of natural pigments found in most organisms. Melanin is produced through a multistage chemical process known as Melanogenesis, where the oxidation of the amino acid tyrosine is followed by polymerization. The Melanin pigments are produced in a specialized group of cells known as melanocytes.
There are three basic types of melanin:
1. Eumelanin: two types: a)brown eumelanin, and b) black eumelanin
2. Pheomelanin: largely responsible for color of Red Hair
3. Neuromelanin: found in the brain.
- In the Human skin, Melanogenesis is initiated by exposure to UV Radiation, causing the skin to darken.
- In Humans, Melanin, is the primary determinant of skin color, also found in hair, and the pigmented tissue underlying the Iris of the eye and also found in the brain and other body tissues.
- Melanin in the skin is produced in the melanocytes found in the basal layer of the epidermis. Although, in general, human beings possess a similar concentration of melanocytes in their skin - the melanocytes in some individuals and ethnic groups produce variable amounts of melanin. Some humans have little to no synthesis, a condition know as Albinism.
Pheomelanin - in part a pink to red hue, is concentrated not in just hair but in the lips, nipples, glans of the penis, and vagina. Present in hair mixed with some brown eumelanin can produce strawberry blonde hair and with more Pheomelanin the result is red hair. Also present in the skin of red heads consequently often these human have a more pinkish hue to their skin as well.
There are three basic types of melanin:
1. Eumelanin: two types: a)brown eumelanin, and b) black eumelanin
2. Pheomelanin: largely responsible for color of Red Hair
3. Neuromelanin: found in the brain.
- In the Human skin, Melanogenesis is initiated by exposure to UV Radiation, causing the skin to darken.
- In Humans, Melanin, is the primary determinant of skin color, also found in hair, and the pigmented tissue underlying the Iris of the eye and also found in the brain and other body tissues.
- Melanin in the skin is produced in the melanocytes found in the basal layer of the epidermis. Although, in general, human beings possess a similar concentration of melanocytes in their skin - the melanocytes in some individuals and ethnic groups produce variable amounts of melanin. Some humans have little to no synthesis, a condition know as Albinism.
Pheomelanin - in part a pink to red hue, is concentrated not in just hair but in the lips, nipples, glans of the penis, and vagina. Present in hair mixed with some brown eumelanin can produce strawberry blonde hair and with more Pheomelanin the result is red hair. Also present in the skin of red heads consequently often these human have a more pinkish hue to their skin as well.