eumelanin
1
8.6
- noun
- /juːˈmɛləˌnɪn/
- Specialized
- Redheads with fair skin have mutations that disrupt the MC1R pathway, producing more pheomelanin than eumelanin.
Examples
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Like humans with dark skin, control mice with black coats had an intact MC1R gene and produced much more eumelanin than pheomelanin.
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In addition to affecting coloring, eumelanin acts as an antioxidant.
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In dark-skinned individuals with dark hair, MC1R activity leads to the production of large amounts of eumelanin, compared to relatively small amounts of pheomelanin.
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The relative abundance of two pigments (pheomelanin and eumelanin) determines hair and skin color.
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A second strain of mice, with a mutated MC1R gene, had reddish coats and a much higher pheomelanin to eumelanin ratio.
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This gene directs redheads' bodies to produce more of the red-gold pigment pheomelanin and less of the dark pigment eumelanin.
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The pigment eumelanin is responsible for the dark brown color of my hair.
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The scientist explained that eumelanin plays a crucial role in determining skin tone.
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In mammals, eumelanin is responsible for the dark pigmentation in both fur and skin.
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Eumelanin comes from the Greek parts eu- meaning 'true' and melanin from melas meaning 'black'. So, eumelanin is the 'true black' pigment that gives hair, skin, and eyes their dark brown or black color.