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Answer taken from the article:
Costin & Hearing (2007). Human skin pigmentation: Melanocytes modulate skin color in response to stress. The Faseb Journal, 21(4), 976-994.
"Melanin biosynthesis is a complex pathway that appears in highly specialized cells, called melanocytes, within membrane-bound organelles referred to as melanosomes. Melanosomes are transferred via dendrites to surrounding keratinocytes, where they play a critical role in photoprotection. The anatomical relationship between keratinocytes and melanocytes is known as 'the epidermal melanin unit' and it has been estimated that each melanocyte is in contact with ∼40 keratinocytes in the basal and suprabasal layers."
Translated: Melanocytes produce melanin in nice little packages called, melanosomes. These melanosomes are then transferred to neighboring keratinocytes (i.e., the hair follicle) through dendrites. This is how the hair follicle gets its color, even though the actual hair follicle doesn't produce melanin itself.
What else can I help you with?
What pigment is phagocytized by keratinocytes?
Melanocytes phagocytize melanin. First, melanocytes which are present in the lowest or basal layer of the epidermis, produce the pigment melanin. The melanin forms granules called melanosomes. After the keratinocytes take up the pigment, it clusters around the keratinocyte nucleus on the superficial side. This protects the DNA in the keratinocyte nucleus from damage due to UV radiation.
What are most cells of the epidermis?
The majority of cells in the epidermis are keratinocytes. These cells produce the protein keratin, which helps the skin to form a protective barrier. Other cell types in the epidermis include melanocytes (produce melanin for skin color) and Langerhans cells (involved in immune responses).
How do melanocytes contribute to the production and distribution of melanosomes in the skin?
Melanocytes are cells in the skin that produce melanosomes, which are responsible for skin pigmentation. Melanocytes transfer melanosomes to neighboring skin cells, called keratinocytes, to distribute melanin and protect the skin from UV damage.
What is the layer of epidermis that has pigment-producing melanocytes?
The layer of the epidermis that has pigment-producing melanocytes is the stratum basale (basal layer). Melanocytes produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color, and transfer it to surrounding keratinocytes.
What are 5 types of cells in the epidermis?
Squamous cells
What pigment is phagocytized by keratinocytes?
Melanocytes phagocytize melanin. First, melanocytes which are present in the lowest or basal layer of the epidermis, produce the pigment melanin. The melanin forms granules called melanosomes. After the keratinocytes take up the pigment, it clusters around the keratinocyte nucleus on the superficial side. This protects the DNA in the keratinocyte nucleus from damage due to UV radiation.
What is cytocrine secretion?
Injection of secretory granules into neighboring cells Such as melanocytes injecting melanosomes to neighboring keratinocytes
Melanocytes and keratinocytes work together in protecting the skin from the UV damage when keratinocytes?
Accumulate the melanin granules on their superficial portion, forming a pigment that protects DNA from UV radiation
What are most cells of the epidermis?
The majority of cells in the epidermis are keratinocytes. These cells produce the protein keratin, which helps the skin to form a protective barrier. Other cell types in the epidermis include melanocytes (produce melanin for skin color) and Langerhans cells (involved in immune responses).
How do melanocytes contribute to the production and distribution of melanosomes in the skin?
Melanocytes are cells in the skin that produce melanosomes, which are responsible for skin pigmentation. Melanocytes transfer melanosomes to neighboring skin cells, called keratinocytes, to distribute melanin and protect the skin from UV damage.
What cells produce keratin and melanin?
Keratinocytes or squamous cells produce keratin and Melanocytes produce melanin, pigment.
What is the layer of epidermis that has pigment-producing melanocytes?
The layer of the epidermis that has pigment-producing melanocytes is the stratum basale (basal layer). Melanocytes produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color, and transfer it to surrounding keratinocytes.
What are 5 types of cells in the epidermis?
Squamous cells
Pertaining to skin cells?
Skin is made up of various types of cells, including keratinocytes, melanocytes, and Langerhans cells. Keratinocytes are the most abundant and produce the protein keratin that provides strength and protection. Melanocytes produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color and helps protect against UV damage. Langerhans cells are part of the immune system and help protect against pathogens.
Where are melanin and keratin manufactured?
Melanin is formed by the melanocytes which are in the stratum basale of the epidermis. Keratin is formed by the epithelial cells of the skin in the epidermis.
What type of cell is responsible for the color and tone of our skin?
There are cells within the bottom layer of the epidermis (the stratum basale or stratum germinativum) called melanocytes. Melanocytes secrete a pigment called melanin which is responsible for giving our skin its color. Their main function though is to shield the nuclei of the keratinocytes (the main cells of the epidermis) to protect them from ultraviolet radiation from the sun. That's why we appear to tan in the sun.
What is the function of the melanocytes?
- A cell of the statum basale of the epidermis that synthesizes melanin and transfers it to the keratinocytes.- Any of the dendritic clear cells of the epidermis that synthesize tyrosinase and, within their melanosomes, the pigment melanin; the melanosomes are then transferred from melanocytes to keratinocytes.
