melanins
Natural color compounds
Melanins are the pigments that give color to skin, hair, and eyes in humans and other animals.
These compounds absorb ultraviolet radiation, providing some protection against sun damage.
Higher concentrations produce darker coloring; lower concentrations produce lighter shades.
Melanin also appears in plants, fungi, and bacteria, where it serves various protective functions.
Brown-black biological pigment
- pigmentationNatural tissue coloring
- chromophoreMolecule's tint-causing portion
- neuromelaninPigment in certain neurons
- antioxidantOxidation-preventing molecule
free radicals · polymer · indole · tyrosine · oxidation · granules · biosynthesis
Skin tone, appearance
- epidermisOutermost tissue layer
- dermisLiving tissue under epidermis
- frecklesPigmented skin spots
- molesBurrowing insectivore mammals
vitiligo · albinism · hyperpigmentation · melasma · nevus · lentigo · tanning · dermatology
Wavelengths shorter than violet
- solar radiationEnergy emitted by sun
- UVALong-wave ultraviolet
- UVBMedium-wave ultraviolet light
- DNA damageInjury to genetic material
sunscreen · photodamage · sunlight exposure · photoaging · radiation shield · light absorption · photobiology
Differential reproductive success
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- fitnessGood physical shape
- latitudeGeographic or personal freedom
- vitamin DCalcium absorption enabler
ancestral · migration · genetic variation · human evolution · climate adaptation · Darwinian
Inherited melanin deficiency
- vitiligoMelanocyte-loss skin condition
- melasmaPatchy facial skin darkening
- hyperpigmentationLocalized skin darkening condition
- oculocutaneousInvolving eyes and skin
Pigmentation of human dermis
- ethnicityShared cultural heritage group
- variationChange from a norm
- polymorphismMany forms, one interface
- human diversityVariation among people
ancestry · phenotype · equatorial · colorism · racial · biological diversity · alleles
eumelanin
Brown-black biological pigment
- pigmentationNatural tissue coloring
- chromophoreMolecule's tint-causing portion
- neuromelaninPigment in certain neurons
antioxidant · free radicals · polymer · indole · tyrosine · oxidation · granules · biosynthesis
complexion
Skin tone, appearance
moles · vitiligo · albinism · hyperpigmentation · melasma · nevus · lentigo · tanning · dermatology · cutaneous
ultraviolet
Wavelengths shorter than violet
- solar radiationEnergy emitted by sun
- UVALong-wave ultraviolet
- UVBMedium-wave ultraviolet light
DNA damage · sunscreen · photodamage · sunlight exposure · photoaging · radiation shield · light absorption · photobiology
natural selection
Differential reproductive success
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- fitnessGood physical shape
- latitudeGeographic or personal freedom
vitamin D · ancestral · migration · genetic variation · human evolution · climate adaptation · Darwinian
albinism
Inherited melanin deficiency
- vitiligoMelanocyte-loss skin condition
- melasmaPatchy facial skin darkening
- hyperpigmentationLocalized skin darkening condition
skin color
Pigmentation of human dermis
- ethnicityShared cultural heritage group
- variationChange from a norm
- polymorphismMany forms, one interface
human diversity · ancestry · phenotype · equatorial · colorism · racial · biological diversity · alleles
melaninsalbinism
Inherited melanin deficiency
depigmentation · unpigmented · vitiligo · pallor · albino