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NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Albinos and Melanin 
Name: Katie L.
Status: Student
Age: 14
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: May 2004
Question:
Why can't albinos produce melanin from the amino acid tyrosine?


Replies:
There are different forms of albinism in humans. One of the most common reasons is because of the malfunction of color producing cells of the skin called melanocytes. In this case, the gene for the enzyme Tyrosinase is mutated and produces a non-functional enzyme so tyrosine cannot be used to help produce melanin.

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