Melanosome
Melanosome
Melanosome (/mɛˈlænəˌsoʊm/; from the Greek melas, "black", and soma, "body") is a specialized organelle found in animal cells. Melanosomes are responsible for the synthesis, storage and transport of melanin, the primary pigment responsible for coloration in animals.
Etymology
The term "melanosome" is derived from the Greek words melas, meaning "black", and soma, meaning "body". This is in reference to the dark pigmentation that melanosomes provide to animal tissues.
Function
Melanosomes are primarily involved in the production and distribution of melanin. Melanin is a complex polymer derived from the amino acid tyrosine. The production of melanin occurs within the melanosome through a series of enzymatic reactions involving the enzyme tyrosinase.
Melanosomes are transported from the melanocyte, where they are produced, to the keratinocytes, which are the primary cell types found in the skin and hair. This transport process is facilitated by the protein Myosin Va.
Related Terms
- Melanocyte: The cell type in which melanosomes are produced.
- Tyrosinase: The enzyme responsible for the production of melanin within the melanosome.
- Myosin Va: The protein that facilitates the transport of melanosomes from melanocytes to keratinocytes.
- Keratinocyte: The primary cell type in the skin and hair, which receive melanosomes from melanocytes.
- Melanin: The primary pigment responsible for coloration in animals, which is produced and stored within melanosomes.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Melanosome
- Wikipedia's article - Melanosome
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski