melanin

[ mel-uh-nin ]

noun

1. any of a class of insoluble pigments, found in all forms of animal life, that account for the dark color of skin, hair, fur, scales, feathers, etc.

melanin

/ ˈmɛlənɪn /

noun

1. any of a group of black or dark brown pigments present in the hair, skin, and eyes of man and animals: produced in excess in certain skin diseases and in melanomas

melanin

/ mĕl′ə-nĭn /

1. Any of various pigments that are responsible for the dark color of the skin, hair, scales, feathers, and eyes of animals and are also found in plants, fungi, and bacteria. Melanins are polymers, often bound to proteins, and in the animal kingdom are built from compounds produced by the oxidation of the amino acid tyrosine.

melanin

1. A dark brown coloring found in the body, especially in the skin and hair. Produced by special skin cells that are sensitive to sunlight, melanin protects the body by absorbing ultraviolet radiation from the sun .

Notes

The amount of melanin present in the skin determines the color of a person's complexion: people with a large amount have dark skin, whereas those with very little have fair skin. Melanin is also responsible for tanning.

Other Words From

• mela·nin·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of melanin¹

First recorded in 1835–45; melan- + -in ²

Example Sentences

This gene causes the insect to produce the brownish pigment melanin.

From Science Daily

I wanted to be the melanin expert, and I do consider myself that.

From Los Angeles Times

The research team then tested the innovative treatment in mice and in human-derived melanoma cells in the lab and found that the tyrosine nanomicelles reactivated dormant metabolic pathways, triggered melanin synthesis, and inhibited tumour growth.

From Science Daily

A study published last week in Nature Biotechnology may offer a solution: genetically engineering bacteria to produce melanin pigment so the material can dye itself.

From Science Magazine

The lasers target melanosomes, which produce, store, and transport the melanin responsible for pigment.

From Science Daily