melanin
[ mel-uh-nin ]
/ ˈmɛl ə nɪn /
noun
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.
OTHER WORDS FROM melanin
mel·a·nin·like, adjectiveWords nearby melanin
melanesian pidgin english,
melange,
melanic,
melanie,
melaniferous,
melanin,
melanion,
melanippus,
melanism,
melanite,
melano-
Example sentences from the Web for melanin
British Dictionary definitions for melanin
melanin
/ (ˈmɛlənɪn) /
noun
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
Medical definitions for melanin
melanin
[ mĕl′ə-nĭn ]
n.
Any of a group of naturally occurring dark pigments composed of granules of highly irregular polymers that usually contain nitrogen or sulfur atoms, especially the pigment found in skin, hair, fur, and feathers.
Scientific definitions for melanin
melanin
[ mĕl′ə-nĭn ]
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.
Cultural definitions for melanin
melanin
[ (mel-uh-nin) ]
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 for melanin
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.