melanin
/,melənin/
Definition
Noun 1. A natural dark pigment: Melanin is a natural, insoluble pigment that is responsible for the color of skin, hair, eyes, feathers, and scales in humans and animals. It is produced by cells called melanocytes.
Usage
Melanin is a biological substance. It is used to describe the pigment itself or to discuss its role and concentration in living organisms. - The amount of melanin in a person's skin determines their skin tone. - Albinism is a condition characterized by a lack of melanin. - The bird's vibrant feathers are due to specialized melanin structures.
Advanced Usage
- Melanin production: The biological process of creating melanin.
- Sun exposure stimulates melanin production, leading to tanning.
- Melanin content: The quantity of melanin present.
- Scientists studied the melanin content in fossilized feathers.
Variants and Related Words
- Melanocyte (noun): A cell that produces melanin.
- Melanogenesis (noun): The process of melanin production.
- Eumelanin (noun): A type of melanin that is brown or black.
- Pheomelanin (noun): A type of melanin that is red or yellow.
Synonyms
- Pigment: A general term for a substance that gives color.
- Biochrome: A biological pigment.
Related Phrases and Concepts
- Melanin granules: The small particles within cells that contain melanin.
- Melanin distribution: How melanin is spread within tissues, such as in the iris of the eye.
Noun
-
insoluble pigments that account for the color of e.g. skin and scales and feathers
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