Melanin

Vitiligo is an integumentary disorder in which white patches of skin devoid of pigmentation due to the appear on different parts of the body due to melanocytes, cells which make pigment, are destroyed. Vitiligo can also affect the mucous membrane which are the tissues in the mouth, nose or eyes. Although the cause is unknown, it is suspected to be caused by an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune disease happens when your immune system mistakenly attacks some part of your own body. In this case, the…

Shaina Willenberg 2/16/16 Research Paper Vitiligo Vitiligo is an autoimmune skin disease that affects a person in which they’re having the destruction of melanin in their body. This will lead to the loss of pigmentation. The loss of pigmentation in the skin is due to the melanocytes (melanin) which forms white patches on the skin. This disease can affect 1 in every 100 people in the Unites States (2). This skin disorder can affect both males and females of any race. We have a few…

“Chédiak-Higashi syndrome is an autosomal recessive immunodeficiency disorder characterized by abnormal intracellular protein transport,” (Nowicki ,“Chediak-Higashi Syndrome,” para.2). It is caused by mutations of the LYST gene which is also known as the CHS1 gene. This gene makes “a protein known as the lysosomal trafficking regulator,” (Genetics Home Reference, January 2014). They cause the lysosome to enlarge which ultimately causes problems with normal cell function. “Patients with…

predictable 1%-2% of the world's population, including males and females of all races. The chronic skin ailment happens when skin pigment cells die or are inept to function and the skin loses its pigment. Vitiligo is triggered by a far-reaching absence of melanin, the body's skin-pigmenting chemical, in areas of affected skin. Along with the mutilating trepidations, these skin zones are sun sensitive and have an augmented risk of skin cancer. Treatments have encompassed several therapies that…

the usual. These cells develop a pigment called Malanin that is in charge of skin tone and hair color. Malanin also protects the skin from the solar radiation avoiding damage on the body. When skin is exposed to the sun, melanocytes produce more melanin as a defense against ultraviolet rays. When there is a constant…

Youth Bridge Journal Entry #1 This week in Youth Bridge we had Berkley High cohort speak to us about Albinism and Vitiligo. What is albinism? Albinism is a group or inherited disorders characterized by little or no melanin production. Albinism is an inherited disorder it is caused by a mutation in one of several genes. Symptoms of albinism are problems with vision, crossed eyes, loss of color. Who does it affect? It can affect anyone. Types of albinism are ocular albinism, which affect only…

Racial inequality in our society has been a controversial topic in all aspects of our life. However, one aspect that is rarely discussed among individuals is the racial inequality in health and that some racial groups are more prone to some diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart diseases, and certain cancers. The question that is predominantly asked concerning this topic is whether these illnesses are due to fundamental biological differences between different racial groups or if…

when the wrinkles start appearing; it all depends on how an individual maintains his/her skin. There is a belief that the light skin people are more vulnerable to wrinkles than those with dark skin. This is because people with light skin have less melanin that shields them from the UV rays which breaks down the collagen that is responsible for the elasticity of the skin. Inelastic skin shrinks resulting to the formation of wrinkles. This is something most people fight with especially those…

the harmful UV (ultra violet) radiation which cause skin cancer. Alpha-MSH triggers specific melanocortin receptors (melanocytes) during its mechanism of action leading to production of melanin and also causes effects on lipid metabolism, sexual libido, and appetite through the same melanocortin receptors. Melanin is the skin pigment which offers protection against the destruction of the cells by DNA. Note that skin cancer is initiated by DNA damage.…

discuss the specific structures and substances involved in this protection. Given that skin is broken down into three layers, the layer of the skin that would be directly exposed to the ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the epidermis. Her skin has melanin in it which protects it from the ultraviolet radiation. Pigment would surround the nucleus of the skin cells and escutcheon to protect the nuclear DNA from the ultraviolet rays from the sun. 2. Next, create your own scenario. It can be…