Melanin functions
Melanin functions
Melanin is the brown black, non-haemoglobin-derived pigment
normally present in the hair, skin choroid of the eye, meninges and adrenal
medulla. It is synthesized in the melanocytes and dendritic cells, both of which
are present in the basal cells of the epidermis.
Melanin is stored in the form of cytoplasmic granules in the phagocytic cells called the melanophore, present in the under lying dermis. Melanocytes possess the enzyme tyrosinase necessary for the synthesis of melanin from the amino acid called tyrosine Tyrosine tyrosinase Melanin
Various disorders of melanin pigmentation cause generalized and
localized hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation.
Generalized hyperpigmentation
a) In Addison’s disease, there is generalized hyperpigmentation of the skin,
especially in areas exposed to light and buccal mucosa.
b) Hyper pigmentation on skin of face, nipples and genitalia during pregnancy
under the influence of oestrogen.
c) In chronic arsenical poisoning, there is characteristic rain-drop pigmentation
of the skin.
Generalized hypopigmentation
Albinism is an extreme degree of generalized hypo pigmentation in
which tyrosinase activity of the melanocytes is genetically defective and no
melanin is formed. Albinoes have blonde hair, poor vision and severe
photophobia. They are highly sensitive to sunlight. Chronic sun exposure
may lead to pre-cancerous lesions, squamous and basal cell cancers of the
skin.
Localised hypopigmentation
a) Leucoderma is a form of partial albinism and is an inherited disorder.
b) Vitiligo is local hypopigmentation in the skin.
c) Acquired local hypopigmentation can result from various causes such as
leprosy, healing of wounds, radiation dermatitis, etc.
Related Topics in Zoology:
Bio Zoology All Important Topics
- Human Physiology Introduction
- Nutrition
- Carbohydrates Poly hydroxyaldehydes (or) ketones
- Proteins (Polypeptides)
- Lipids
- Vitamins – Functions Of Vitamins
- Deficiency of Vitamin
- Minerals – Water – Role of water
- Balanced diet
- Obesity
- Digestive System
- Dental Caries (Tooth decay)
- Root Canal Treatment
- Peptic ulcer
- Hernia and Types
- Appendicitis (Appendix)
- Gall Stones
- Hepatitis
- Fractures – Types of fractures
- Mechanism of fracture
- Dislocation of joints
- Arthiritis
- Rickets and Osteomalacia – Orthopedics
- Muscles
- Mechanism of muscle contraction
- Types of muscle contraction
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Respiration – Process of pulmonary respiration
- Mechanism of Breathing
- Regulation of Respiration
- Pneumonia Tuberculosis Symptoms Treatment
- Bronchitis – Acute bronchitis, Chronic Bronchitis Causes
- Circulatory System – Functioning of Human heart
- Cardiac Cycle
- Coronary blood vessel and its significance
- Myocardial infarction
- Angina pectoris
- Angiogram – Angioplasty
- Atherosclerosis
- Heart block Echo cardiography Heart Valves
- Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), ICCU – (Intensive Coronary Care Unit)
- Blood Pressure
- Heart transplantation
- Pulse rate
- Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- Blood – Composition of plasma – Blood cells
- Clotting of Blood or Haemostasis
- Thrombosis
- Nervous system Co-ordination systems
- The Brain – Fore Brain, Midbrain, Hindbrain
- Memory
- Sleep – Types of sleep
- Stroke – Brain haemorrhage
- Alzheimer – Meningitis (Brain fever)
- Conditioned reflex
- Electroencephalography EEG
- Right and Left brain concept
- Spinal cord functioning
- Chemical co-ordination – Functions of Endocrine glands
- Hypothalamus
- Pituitary gland – hormone
- Hormones of Neurohypophysis – vasopressin
- Thyroid gland
- Parathyroid Gland
- Pancreas
- Adrenal gland
- Gonads
- Receptor Organs – Eye
- Photochemistry of Retinal visual Pigments
- Errors of refraction
- Optometry – Retinopathy
- Cataract – Lens Replacement – Glaucoma – Nyctalopia
- Eye Infections and Eye Care
- Ear
- Mechanism of hearing
- Defects of the ear
- Hearing Aid – Noise pollution
- Skin and functions of skin
- Melanin functions
- Effects of solar radiation / UV radiation – Skin grafting
- Dermatitis
- Tongue – Mechanism of Stimulation
- Excretion Ureotelism Nephron
- Mechanism of urine formation
- Renal Failure, Dialysis, Kidney Machines
- Kidney stone – Kidney transplantation
- Diabetes mellitus
- Functioning of male reproductive system
- Functioning of female reproductive system
- Ovulation and fate of the ovum – Menstrual cycle
- Fertilization
- Birth control
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