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Melanin

Definition(s)

Amorphous, nonproteinaceous pigment responsible for the brown hue of eyes, skin, hair, various tumors, and certain internal structures including the substantia nigra of the brain.

Definition from: CRISP Thesaurus via Unified Medical Language SystemThis link leads to a site outside Genetics Home Reference. at the National Library of Medicine

Pigments causing darkness in skin, hair, feathers, etc. They are irregular polymeric structures and are divided into three groups: allomelanins in the plant kingdom and eumelanins and phaeomelanins in the animal kingdom.

Definition from: MeSH via Unified Medical Language SystemThis link leads to a site outside Genetics Home Reference. at the National Library of Medicine

The substance that gives color to skin and eyes.

Definition from:  National Cancer Institute dictionaryThis link leads to a site outside Genetics Home Reference.

See also Understanding Medical Terminology.

 
Published: February 11, 2013