Melanin (from Ancient Greek μέλας (mélas) 'black, dark') is a family of biomolecules organized as oligomers or polymers, which among other functions provide the pigments of many organisms. The chemical formula for melanin, the pigment produced by melanocytes, is C18H10N2O4.  Melanin pigments are produced in a specialized group of cells known as melanocytes. There are five basic type of melanin: eumelanin, pheomelanin, neuromelanin, allomelanin and pyomelanin. Melanin is produced through a multistage chemical process known as melanogenesis, where the oxidation of the amino acid tyrosine is followed by polymerization. Pheomelanin is a cysteinated form containing polybenzothiazine portions that are largely responsible for the red or yellow tint given to some skin or hair colors. Neuromelanin is found in the brain. Research has been undertaken to investigate its efficacy in treating neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's. Allomelanin and pyomelanin are two types of nitrogen-free melanin. The phenotypic color variation observed in the epidermis and hair of mammals is primarily determined by the levels of eumelanin and pheomelanin in the examined tissue. In an average human individual, eumelanin is more abundant in tissues requiring photoprotection, such as the epidermis and the retinal pigment epithelium. In healthy subjects, epidermal melanin is correlated with UV exposure, while retinal melanin has been found to correlate with age, with levels diminishing 2.5-fold between the first and ninth decades of life, which has been attributed to oxidative degradation mediated by reactive oxygen species generated via lipofuscin-dependent pathways. In the absence of albinism or hyperpigmentation, the human epidermis contains approximately 74% eumelanin and 26% pheomelanin, largely irrespective of skin tone, with eumelanin content ranging between 71.8–78.9%, and pheomelanin varying between 21.1–28.2%. Total melanin content in the epidermis ranges from around 0 μg/mg in albino epidermal tissue to >10 μg/mg in darker tissue. In the human skin, melanogenesis is initiated by exposure to UV radiation, causing the skin to darken. Eumelanin is an effective absorbent of light; the pigment is able to dissipate over 99.9% of absorbed UV radiation. Because of this property, eumelanin is thought to protect skin cells from UVA and UVB radiation damage, reducing the risk of folate depletion and dermal degradation. Exposure to UV radiation is associated with increased risk of malignant melanoma, a cancer of melanocytes (melanin cells). Studies have shown a lower incidence for skin cancer in individuals with more concentrated melanin, i.e. darker skin tone. Melanin was created by God almighty before the garden of Eden Adam had melanin Adam & Eve were black yet not African even animals have Melanin  Melanin (from Ancient Greek μέλας (mélas) 'black, dark') is a family of biomolecules organized as oligomers or polymers, which among other functions provide the pigments of many organisms. Melanin pigments are produced in a specialized group of cells known as melanocytes. There are five basic types of melanin: eumelanin, pheomelanin, neuromelanin, allomelanin and pyomelanin. Eumelanin is produced through a multistage chemical process known as melanogenesis, where the oxidation of the amino acid tyrosine is followed by polymerization. Eumelanin is the most common type. Pheomelanin, which is produced when melanocytes are malfunctioning due to derivation of the gene to its recessive format, is a cysteine-derivative that contains polybenzothiazine portions that are largely responsible for the red or yellow tint given to some skin or hair colors. Neuromelanin is found in the brain. Research has been undertaken to investigate its efficacy in treating neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's. Allomelanin and pyomelanin are two types of nitrogen-free melanin. In the human skin, melanogenesis is initiated by exposure to UV radiation, causing the skin to darken. Eumelanin is an effective absorbent of light; the pigment is able to dissipate over 99.9% of absorbed UV radiation. Because of this property, eumelanin is thought to protect skin cells from UVA and UVB radiation damage, reducing the risk of folate depletion and dermal degradation. Exposure to UV radiation is associated with increased risk of malignant melanoma, a cancer of melanocytes (melanin cells). Studies have shown a lower incidence for skin cancer in individuals with more concentrated melanin, i.e. darker skin tone you should know black Adam & Eve had Albino white kids who populated Europe . Yes, melanocytes are present in the oral epithelium, including the area of the tongue where taste buds are located. These dendritic cells reside in the basal layer of the epithelium and produce melanin, the pigment responsible for dark skin, hair, and eye color. While the function of these melanocytes in the taste bud area is for enhnced taste and neuron signaling, melanocytes contribute to the visible pigmentation of fungiform papillae, the mushroom-shaped structures on the tongue that contain taste buds. Melanocytes are found in the oral mucosa, including the epithelium of the tongue, where taste buds are found. Function: They are melanin-producing cells that contribute to pigmentation and enhanced taste Visible Pigmentation: In some individuals, especially those with darker skin tones, melanocytes can lead to visible brown or black pigmentation on the fungiform papillae, the taste buds' structures. Variations: The degree of pigmentation can vary significantly between different racial and ethnic groups and is considered a normal physiological variation lack of melanocytes in the taste buds mean white individuals don't usually like spicy food whereas black people love marinated food .Melanin in the brain, known as neuromelanin, is a dark, insoluble pigment produced in specific population of neurons in the brainstem. Unlike the melanin in skin, neuromelanin accumulate throughout a person's life, starting after birth. Its primary function protective, though exact roles such as better momory and inhaced creativity. Locations & function of neuromelani Key brain regions Neuromelanin is most prominent in catecholaminergic neurons, which use the neurotransmitters dopamine & norepinephrine. Key areas where it is found include:  Substantia nigra pars compacta: This region is rich in dopamine-producing neurons and appears black due to its high concentration of neuromelanin. Locus coeruleus: A brainstem nucleus containing norepinephrine-producing neurons that also contain neuromelanin. Other brain areas: Melanin is also found in the medulla and in glial cells throughout the brain.  Proposed function Chelation of metals and toxins: Neuromelanin efficiently binds to and sequesters transition metals like iron excess , as well as other potentially toxic molecules. This is believed to protect neurons from oxidative damage. However, if saturated with high levels of iron, neuromelanin can become a source of oxidative stress instead of a chelator. Antioxidant properties: As a polymer, neuromelanin can scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), which defend against oxidative stress. Regulation of energy: A unifying theory suggest that melanin in the body, including neuromelanin, may have electron storage and transport capability that provide energy to cells. This energy source may exist in an inverse, yet complementary, relationship with ATP production from mitochondria.  Link to Parkinson's disease The loss of neuromelanin-containing neurons is a hallmark feature of Parkinson's disease (PD).  Selective vulnerability: Highly pigmented, dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra are particularly vulnerable to degeneration in PD. Inflammatory response: When neuromelanin is released from dying neurons in PD, it activate microglia, the brain's immune cells. This triggers neuroinflammation, which further damages and kills neurons. MRI detection: Advances in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect neuromelanin level in the brain. This can be used to monitor disease progression and may potentially help with early detection of PD.  Other factor related to neuromelanin Synthesis: Unlike peripheral melanin, which is produced in specialized melanocytes via the tyrosinase enzyme, neuromelanin synthesis is traditionally thought to be non-enzymatic. It is formed from the oxidation of catecholamines like dopamine and norepinephrine in the cytosol of certain neurons. God's creation aspect: Humans possess the largest amounts of neuromelanin compared to other species. Some scientists theorize that this could be a factor in why only humans naturally develop PD. Aging: Neuromelanin generally decreases with age, may accumulate yet lost in neurodegenerative disease like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's in nomine Patris et FiLii et Spiritus Sancti missa orationis peace be still amen
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aO1yg_J_ZA
Melanin Physiology: Melanin Absoprtion of UV Light and Internal Conversion to Heat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwgrgsLXBsQ
How do Melanocytes Make Melanin?: Melanogenesis Mechanism
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFw8mMzH5YA&t=2s
The Biology of Skin Color — HHMI BioInteractive Video