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Glite Dictionary
melanosome

melanosome

1 8.9
A small part inside a cell that makes and stores a dark substance
  • noun
  • /ˈmɛləˌnoʊsoʊm/
  • Specialized
: melanosoma
  • The scientist observed the melanosome under a powerful microscope to study pigment formation.

Examples

  • Differences in melanosome size can affect the color of animal fur and feathers.

  • A mutation in the gene can disrupt normal melanosome development, leading to pigmentation disorders.

  • The melanosome produces melanin in skin cells.

  • Researchers study melanosomes to understand pigmentation.

  • The scientist studied the melanosomes to understand how they influence skin color.

  • Research shows that melanosomes play a crucial role in the pigmentation of hair and eyes.

  • Under the microscope, the melanosomes appeared as tiny granules within the cells.

Surface Forms

melanosome singular
melanosomes plural

Morphology

melanosome = melanin (transparent) = melano + some

Formed from the combining form 'melano-' (relating to melanin) plus the biological suffix '-some' meaning 'body' or 'structure', so the meaning is directly derivable.

Etymology

The word melanosome comes from Greek parts: melano- meaning 'black' or the pigment 'melanin', and -some meaning 'body', like in chromosome. So a melanosome is a small 'dark body' inside a cell that makes and keeps pigment, so it helps decide the color of skin, hair, and feathers.