Melanin is a substance produced by melanocytes in the skin, hair, and eyes. It is responsible for pigmentation, giving us our skin, hair, and eye color. However, melanin's primary function is photoprotection, shielding us from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
Here are some key functions of melanin:
- Pigmentation: Melanin determines our skin, hair, and eye color.
- Photoprotection: Melanin absorbs UV radiation, acting as a natural sunscreen and protecting our skin from sun damage, including sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer.
- Antioxidant Activity: Melanin can scavenge free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and protecting cells from damage.
- Other Biological Functions: Melanin plays a role in various other biological processes, including immune responses, nerve function, and even water retention in certain organisms.
Melanin's protective role is especially important in regions with high UV exposure, where darker skin pigmentation offers a greater degree of protection.
