Talk:Melanin

Melanin in fungi

Radiation-loving fungi: the perfect space food? Appearently, some fungi uses melanin to harness radiation. The test used Gamma Rays and it worked. Thanks, CarpD 5/24/07.

Refractile?

There seems to be contradictory language in the article. The microscopic image at top of page shows dark spots, and describes them as "light refracting." It appears that these bodies are mostly absorbing light, but could also be refracting what is not absorbed. Later in the article, melanin is described as "non-refractile." Could we have an expert weigh in more on optical properties?

Obsolete language

The sentence "Pheomelanins, unlike eumelanins, are rare in lower organisms[17] with claims they are an "evolutionary innovation in the tetrapod lineage"[18] but recent research finds them also in some fish.[19]" should be rephrased. The distinction between "lower" and "higher" organisms is obsolete in modern biology, and implies ideas such as "humans are the highest evolutionary achievement" 2A00:102A:5056:7357:0:0:2780:A054 (talk) 22:18, 1 August 2025 (UTC)

How can reflecting red light increase UV damage?

The section on pheomelanin says "...but rather than absorbing light, pheomelanin within the hair and skin reflect yellow to red light, which may increase damage from UV radiation exposure" (my emphasis). As far as I can see that makes no sense at all from a scientific viewpoint. Why would reflecting red/yellow light increase damage from UV? The source link is broken, but the title doesn't mention increased UV damage. Is that an actual source for this extraordinary claim?

HairyDan (talk) 19:03, 12 August 2025 (UTC)

Evolutionary origins has incomprehensible text

I added this incomprehensible span tag (missing words, grammar) to the section Evolutionary origins:

The first modern humans had darker skin as the indigenous people of Africa today. Following migration and settlement in Asia and Europe, the selective pressure dark UV-radiation protecting skin decreased where radiation from the sun was less intense.

-~~ 84user (talk) 10:31, 13 October 2025 (UTC)