Melanin

Hyperpigmentation When the amounts of melanin increase dark areas on the skin appear. This disorder is called hyperpigmentation. Melanin can increase due to exposure to sun, aging, pregnancy, trauma or having a certain illness. Sunlight or chemical compounds in the environment are external causes of melanin disorder. The internal causes are inborn. For instance, darker skin people often have melanin disorder and hyperpigmentation. The ultraviolet rays damage the melanin and strains, freckles and age-spots

genes involved (MYO5A, RAB27A, and MLPH) play similar roles in the transport of the pigment melanin. The MYO5A, RAB27A, and MPLH genes all produce proteins that are found within cells known as melanocytes (“Griscelli syndrome,” 2016). Melanocytes are generally found in the stratum basale of the skin’s epidermis and the uvea of the eye. Through a process termed melanogenesis, melanocytes produce the pigment melanin. Within the melanocytes, the proteins produced by these three genes work cooperatively and

Throughout my time in the BIOA 101 course, I have found myself amused and intrigued in the information given to me everytime I walked into the classroom. One of the many facets that captivates me in the course is the phenotypic variation we see within people of different races and even same race. It truly amazes me to think that people could be the same race but look completely different from one another. As an individual who always travel the world, I have always tried to embrace the differences

questions, one must explore what albinism really is. What is Albinism? Albinism is a rare genetic disorder caused by the lack of pigments in an organism’s skin, hair, eyes, scales, and/or feathers (Ghayourmanesh). In humans, this pigment is called melanin, it is responsible for color in skin, hair, and eyes and can be found in each of those areas of the body, respectively (The World Book 557). Oculocutaneous (lack of pigment in hair, skin, and eyes) is autosomal recessive, meaning that it occurs in

in the tyrosinase enzyme, which is the enzyme responsible for melanin production. Individuals with OCA1a have a complete absence of melanin and tend to have white hair, very pale skin, and light eyes.  Another subtype of OCA1 is OCA1b. Those with OCA1b produce melanin in minimal amounts but their coloring may increase with age. OCA2 is less severe than OCA1. Mutations in the OCA2 gene cause a disruption in the normal production of melanin; therefore, causing vision problems and reductions in hair,

the world in a multitude of countries. Over the past few decades new studies have allowed more information concerning this condition to be accessed. Albinism is an inherited condition that is present at birth. It is characterized by a lack of melanin. Melanin is the pigment that normally gives color to the skin, hair, and eyes. There are several types of albinism that exist, all of which involve lack of pigment in varying degrees. The condition, which is found in all races and species, may be accompanied

A genetic disorder is an illness resulting in a change of a person’s DNA. They can be grouped into three main categories: Single gene disorder, chromosome disorder, and Multifactorial disorders. Approximately 3 to 4% of the 4 million babies born each year will develop a genetic disorder revealed by the Net Wellness Organization. While about 1 in 18,000 to 20,000 people in the United States has a form of albinism. Albinism is not that common of a disorder, but can cause the skin, hair, or eyes to

the mouth, hair, scalp, and even the eyes. The amount and degree of color loss is variable and erratic. Vitiligo can occur when the melanin producing cells die. The color of skin, hair and eyes is determined by the type and amount of melanin in the body. Vitiligo affects people of all skin tones and types, but it is most noticeable in people with a darker melanin or skin tone. It is neither a terminal nor communicable disease. Treatments are available to help even out the appearance of the skin

Albinism (OCA) Albinism is characterised by the lack or absence of the production of melanin, the pigment that gives colour in the hair, eyes, and skin of humans. The gene or chromosome that is affected Ocular albinism is a result of a mutation located on the X chromosome in the GPR143 gene. This gene is essential in monitoring the growth of melanosomes, which are cellular structures that store pigment (melanin) in the eyes. Most of these mutation is the GPR143 gene alters the size and shape of

stratum corneum. The stratum basale, however, consists of many cells, one of them being melanocytes (Human Anatomy Book, 121). These cells are responsible for the production of melanin,