Eumelanin
Eumelanin
Eumelanin (/juːˈmɛlənɪn/) is a type of melanin that is dark brown to black in color. It is one of the two primary types of melanin, the other being pheomelanin. Eumelanin is primarily responsible for the color of human skin, hair, and eyes.
Etymology
The term "eumelanin" is derived from the Greek words "eu", meaning "good" or "well", and "melas", meaning "black". This is in contrast to pheomelanin, which is derived from the Greek "phaios", meaning "dusky".
Function
Eumelanin provides protection against ultraviolet radiation (UV) by absorbing light and dissipating the energy as heat. It is also involved in the regulation of body temperature and the prevention of skin cancer.
Related Terms
- Melanin: The general term for the group of natural pigments found in most organisms.
- Pheomelanin: The other primary type of melanin, which is yellow to red in color.
- Melanocyte: The type of cell that produces melanin.
- Melanogenesis: The process by which melanin is produced.
- Ultraviolet radiation (UV): A type of electromagnetic radiation that is harmful to skin and eyes.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Eumelanin
- Wikipedia's article - Eumelanin
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