Question

Melanin is a(n) ________ responsible for skin pigment. people who have albinism carry a mutant ________ that does not make melanin. allele; gene gene; protein protein; allele allele; protein

Answer 1

The answer is protein; allele. The protein melanin is specially produced by cells called melanocytes. Melanin is critical in protecting against UV radiation from the sun that would cause damage to DNA and cause skin cancer. Being autosomal recessive for both alleles of the gene causes albinism.