Final answer:
The subcutaneous tissue, or hypodermis, is responsible for storing fats for energy, contouring the body, and providing a protective cushion, but it does not produce melanin, as this occurs in the epidermis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subcutaneous tissue, also known as the hypodermis, has multiple functions, but producing melanin is not one of them. The hypodermis contains fats for use as energy, gives smoothness and contour to the body, and acts as a protective cushion for the skin. The production of melanin occurs in the epidermis, more specifically, within melanocytes. The hypodermis serves as a site to long-term energy storage by holding most of the body's fat in adipose tissue. This layer of skin also helps in thermoregulation and provides a degree of mechanical protection.