melanin

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melanin One of a group of dark pigments found in the skin and formed in melanoblast cells through the oxidation of tyrosine, phenylalanine, and other aromatic compounds. There are two chemically differing forms: the black-brown eumelanin and the red-yellow phaeomelanin. In many mammals, these alternate during the growth of a hair, resulting in a banded (‘agouti’) hair.

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