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melanin
biological pigment
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melanin, a dark biological pigment (biochrome) found in skin, hair, feathers, scales, eyes, and some internal membranes; it is also found in the peritoneum of many animals (e.g., frogs), but its role there is not understood. Formed as an end product during metabolism of the amino acid tyrosine, melanins are conspicuous in dark skin moles of humans; in the black dermal melanocytes (pigment cells) of most dark-skinned peoples; and as brown, diffuse spots in the epidermis. Melanism refers to the deposition of melanin in the tissues of living animals. The chemistry of the process depends on the metabolism of the ...(100 of 378 words)