What is Melanocyte?
{{Infobox cell | Name = Melanocyte | Latin = melanocytus | Image = Illu skin02.jpg | Caption = Melanocyte and [[melanin]]. | Width = | Image2 = | Caption2 = | System = | Location = [[Skin]] | Precursor = [[Neural crest]] | Function = [[Melanin]] production | Pronunciation = {{IPAc-en|audio=En-melanocyte.oga|m|ə|ˈ|l|æ|n|ə|ˌ|s|aɪ|t|,_|-|n|oʊ|-}} or {{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ɛ|l|ə|n|ə|ˌ|s|aɪ|t|,_|-|n|oʊ|-}}{{refn|{{OxfordDictionaries.com|accessdate=2016-01-20|Melanocyte}}}}{{refn|{{MerriamWebsterDictionary|Melanocyte}}}} }} '''Melanocytes''' are [[melanin]]-producing [[cells]]. They are most obvious in the [[skin]], [[hair]] and [[eyes]]. They are in the bottom layer of the [[skin]]'s [[epidermis]], in hairs, and in the [[iris (eye)|iris]] of the [[eye]], and some places inside the body.<ref name=pmid6616275> {{cite journal| author=Barden H and Levine S| year=1983| title=Histochemical observations on rodent brain melanin| url=https://archive.org/details/sim_brain-research-bulletin_1983-06_10_6/page/847| journal=Brain Research Bulletin| volume=10 | issue=6 | pages=847–851| pmid=6616275| doi=10.1016/0361-9230(83)90218-6| s2cid=4783099}}</ref> Melanin is the [[pigment]] mostly responsible for skin and hair colour. It protects the skin against damage by [[UV radiation]] from the [[Sun]]. UV radiation causes damage to cell [[DNA]], which makes [[skin cancer]] more likely. Melanocyte-stimulating [[hormones]] (MSH) from the [[pituitary gland]] causes melanocytes to produce more melanin. They stimulate the production and release of melanin by melanocytes in skin and hair. MSH signals to the [[brain]] have effects on [[appetite]] and [[sexual arousal]]. == References == {{reflist}} [[Category:Cells]]