Biologically Active Substance
melanin Audio
mel·a·nin [ mel-uh-nin ]
Subclass of:
Tyrosine
Etymology:
Greek melas = black + -in
A black pigment.
Definitions related to melanins:
  • A pigment that gives color to skin and eyes and helps protect it from damage by ultraviolet light.
    NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • A substance that gives the skin, hair, and eyes their natural color.
    Harvard Dictionary of Health Terms
    Harvard Medical Publishing, 2011
  • 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.
    CRISP Thesaurus
    National Institutes of Health, 2006
  • Insoluble polymers of TYROSINE derivatives found in and causing darkness in skin (SKIN PIGMENTATION), hair, and feathers providing protection against SUNBURN induced by SUNLIGHT. CAROTENES contribute yellow and red coloration.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
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