These are also dentritic cells and are derived from the neural crest. They are immersed in the epidermis where they form close contact with a defined number of keratinocytes - an '''epidermal-melanin unit'''. '''Melanin''' is composed of 2 types: ''eumelanin'' which is black-brown and ''phaeomelanin'' which is reddish-brown. Melanocytes produce pigment in melanosome structures which are membrane-bound structures involved in the transfer of pigment to keratinocytes. An important function of melanin is UV protection and absence of pigment confers increased sensitivity to UV damage. | These are also dentritic cells and are derived from the neural crest. They are immersed in the epidermis where they form close contact with a defined number of keratinocytes - an '''epidermal-melanin unit'''. '''Melanin''' is composed of 2 types: ''eumelanin'' which is black-brown and ''phaeomelanin'' which is reddish-brown. Melanocytes produce pigment in melanosome structures which are membrane-bound structures involved in the transfer of pigment to keratinocytes. An important function of melanin is UV protection and absence of pigment confers increased sensitivity to UV damage. |