What are the two primary types of melanin?

What are the two primary types of melanin?

• A. Eumelanin and Pheomelanin
• B. Carotene and Melanin
• C. Eumelanin and Neomelanin
• D. Pheomelanin and Neomelanin

Answer: (A)

Two forms of melanin produced by melanocytes are eumelanin and pheomelanin. Eumelanin creates brown to black pigments, giving darker hair and skin tones and contributing to UV protection. Pheomelanin produces red to yellow pigments, contributing to lighter or reddish hues like red hair. The combination and amount of these two pigments explain the spectrum of human coloration. Other pigments, like carotene, are not melanin, and the term neomelanin isn’t a standard category of melanin, so they aren’t the primary types.

Two forms of melanin produced by melanocytes are eumelanin and pheomelanin. Eumelanin creates brown to black pigments, giving darker hair and skin tones and contributing to UV protection. Pheomelanin produces red to yellow pigments, contributing to lighter or reddish hues like red hair. The combination and amount of these two pigments explain the spectrum of human coloration. Other pigments, like carotene, are not melanin, and the term neomelanin isn’t a standard category of melanin, so they aren’t the primary types.