Melanin
Melanin is a special pigment of the epidermis. It helps protect the body from the sun's radiation. This pigment contributes to the color of the skin and is produced deep within the layers of the epidermis. It is created from amino acid tyrosine It help our skin to protect from the sun.
Melanin Media
Micrograph of melanin pigment (light refracting granular material—center of image) in a pigmented melanoma
Micrograph of the epidermis, with melanin labeled at left
Part of the structural formula of pheomelanin. "(COOH)" can be COOH or H, or (more rarely) other substituents. The arrows denote where the polymer continues.
Display of the presentation of the red pheomelanin pigment alongside the black eumelanin pigment in the hairs and skin of the paw pad of a tortoiseshell cat.
SEM micrograph of Aspergillus niger (strain: melanoliber) conodiophore possessing a large number of small conidospores (colorized). These spores release peptidomelanin into the surrounding medium during germination.
The biochemical composition of peptidomelanin
Albinism occurs when melanocytes produce little melanin. In the foreground of this photo, taken in Papua New Guinea, is a child who has albinism.
Chemical structure of indole-5,6-quinone
Structure of L-tyrosine under physiological conditions
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References
- Dennis Edgerly (ed.). EMT prehospital care 4th edition".