Melanin produced by cells called melanocytes determines what?

• A. Color of skin and hair
• B. Thickness of epidermis
• C. Rate of epidermal turnover
• D. Hair curl pattern

Answer: (A)

Melanin is the pigment made by melanocytes in the epidermis, and the amount and type of melanin determine how dark or light the skin and hair look. More melanin gives darker skin and hair, while less gives lighter tones. Different forms of melanin, such as eumelanin and pheomelanin, produce a range of colors from brown/black to yellow/red. Melanin also helps protect skin from UV radiation by absorbing and dissipating ultraviolet light. The other options—epidermal thickness, rate of epidermal turnover, and hair curl pattern—are controlled by other factors like keratinocyte behavior and hair follicle structure, not pigment. So, melanin production by melanocytes primarily determines the color of skin and hair.