Definitions for melanin
ˈmɛl ə nɪnmelanin

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. melaninnoun

   insoluble pigments that account for the color of e.g. skin and scales and feathers

WiktionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 3 votes

1. melaninnoun

   Any of a group of naturally occurring dark pigments, especially the pigment found in skin, hair, fur, and feathers.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Melanin

   Melanin ( (listen); from Greek: μέλας, romanized: melas, lit. 'black, dark') is a broad term for a group of natural pigments found in most organisms. Eumelanin is produced through a multistage chemical process known as melanogenesis, where the oxidation of the amino acid tyrosine is followed by polymerization. The melanin pigments are produced in a specialized group of cells known as melanocytes. Functionally, eumelanin serves as protection against UV radiation. There are five basic types of melanin: eumelanin, pheomelanin, neuromelanin, allomelanin and pyomelanin. The most common type is eumelanin, of which there are two types— brown eumelanin and black eumelanin. Pheomelanin, which is produced when melanocytes are malfunctioning due to derivation of the gene to its recessive format is a cysteine-derivative that contains polybenzothiazine portions that are largely responsible for the red or yellow tint given to some skin or hair colors. Neuromelanin is found in the brain. Research has been undertaken to investigate its efficacy in treating neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's. Allomelanin and pyomelanin are two types of nitrogen-free melanin. In the human skin, melanogenesis is initiated by exposure to UV radiation, causing the skin to darken. Eumelanin is an effective absorbent of light; the pigment is able to dissipate over 99.9% of absorbed UV radiation. Because of this property, eumelanin is thought to protect skin cells from UVA and UVB radiation damage, reducing the risk of folate depletion and dermal degradation. Exposure to UV radiation is associated with increased risk of malignant melanoma, a cancer of melanocytes (melanin cells). Studies have shown a lower incidence for skin cancer in individuals with more concentrated melanin, i.e. darker skin tone.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. melanin

   Melanin is a type of pigment found in the skin, hair, eyes, and other parts of bodies of most living organisms. It's responsible for various colors and shades in our skin and hair. Produced by specialized cells called melanocytes, it plays a key role in the absorption of harmful UV radiation, protecting skin cells from UV damage. It is also believed to contribute to various biological functions such as immune response and hearing. Its quantity, type, and distribution are influenced by genetics, hormones, certain medical conditions, and environmental factors.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Melaninnoun

   a black pigment found in the pigment-bearing cells of the skin (particularly in the skin of the negro), in the epithelial cells of the external layer of the retina (then called fuscin), in the outer layer of the choroid, and elsewhere. It is supposed to be derived from the decomposition of hemoglobin

2. Etymology: [Gr. me`las, me`lanos, black.]

WikidataRate this definition:3.0 / 1 vote

1. Melanin

   Melanin is an ubiquitous natural pigment found in most organisms. In animals melanin pigments are derivatives of the amino acid tyrosine. The most common biological melanin is eumelanin. This is a brown-black polymer of dihydroxyindole carboxylic acids and their reduced forms. Another common form of melanin is pheomelanin, a cysteine-containing red-brown polymer of benzothiazine units largely responsible for red hair and freckles. The production of melanin in human skin is called melanogenesis. Production of melanin is induced by UVB-radiation simulated by DNA, which is also a photoprotectant. This occurs by means of a process called "ultrafast internal conversion". This property enables melanin to dissipate more than 99.9% of the absorbed UV radiation as heat. This prevents the UVB radiation damage that is responsible for the formation of malignant melanoma and other skin cancers.

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. melanin

   A group of natural pigments produced in the body of a human being, animal or living organism.

   Melanin in human beings can be in the form of skin color.

   
   

   Submitted by MaryC on September 6, 2020  

Matched Categories

1. • Animal Pigment

Anagrams for melanin »

1. Lemnian

2. lineman

How to pronounce melanin?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say melanin in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of melanin in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of melanin in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of melanin in a Sentence

1. David Fisher:

   My suspicion is, at the end of the day, because darkly-pigmented humans can still sunburn like crazy, melanin is not like a roof over your head. So it only has a certain amount of efficacy, so I'm not shocked that the increase was modest.

2. Joe Rogan:

   There’s such a spectrum of shades of people. Unless you’re talking to someone who is, like, 100% African, from the darkest place, where they are not wearing any clothes all day and they’ve developed all that melanin to protect themselves from the sun, you know, even the term Black is weird. When you use it for people who are literally my color, it becomes very strange.

3. Denise Chamberlain:

   According to the Mayo Clinic, vitiligo occurs when pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) die or stop producing melanin — the pigment that gives your skin, hair and eyes color. There are some treatments that may restore color to the affected skin, but it does not prevent continued loss of skin color or a recurrence. Between the ages of 10 and 40, Denise masked her face and hands with a blanket of foundation and concealer to hide her vitiligo. I wore it every single day and I learnt how to perfect it so people who looked at me wouldn't even know I had it on.

4. Shuting Hu:

   The color of our skin is determined by melanin, which is produced by melanocyte, a type of skin cell. Everyone has different numbers of melanocytes, and that's why we have different skin colors, it's impossible to change your gene or race, so there is a natural limit to whitening effects that you can achieve through using skin care products.

5. Franklin Thomas:

   One day our descendants will think it incredible that we paid so much attention to things like the amount of melanin in our skin or the shape of our eyes or our gender instead of the unique identities of each of us as complex human beings.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=melanin
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Melanin
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanin
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melanin
6. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=melanin