melanin

Noun

Meaning

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.

Source: Webster's dictionary

Synonyms

Lenin matrix melamine flesh pigment melanoma melanin-concentrating melamine-based melamine-containing melamine-formaldehyde melanin-like brown skin pigment skin pigment

Hypernyms

animal pigment

Related terms

melano- its derivatives

Phrases with the word

melanin-concentrating melanin-like

Anagrams

lemnian lineman

Examples

I am just mystified by these people telling me I would think Obama was doing a great job if his skin contained less melanin. Jonah Goldberg

A common example of these include: ink from tattoos and freckles (melanin) in skin samples. Source: Internet

A form of melanin makes up the ink used by many cephalopods (see cephalopod ink ) as a defense mechanism against predators. Source: Internet

A dilute solution of potassium permanganate is an effective melanin bleach. Source: Internet

All forms of albinism involve abnormal production and/or deposition of melanin. Source: Internet

Both pheomelanin and eumelanin are found in human skin and hair, but eumelanin is the most abundant melanin in humans, as well as the form most likely to be deficient in albinism. Source: Internet

Close letter words and terms

melaniid melanilin melaniline melanin-challenged melanin-concentrating melanin-like