The mole theory: primary function of melanocytes and melanin may be . . . Melanin is envisaged as an energy transducer with the properties of an amorphous semiconductor that can absorb many different types of energy and dissipate them in the form of heat and can damage cellular macromolecules resulting in cell death, mutations and cancer
The mole theory: primary function of melanocytes and melanin may be . . . Importantly, several studies have shown that the amount of melanin deposited on the external body surface is correlated with the amount located inside the body This finding raises the possibility that internal melanin plays more important physiological roles in dark than light-colored individuals
ELI5: Why does melanism, the increased development of melanin . . . - Reddit Melanism is pretty rare in nature Where it's most commonly seen - panthers for example - it's actually a heritable adaptation, not just a random mutation It doesn't provide a major reproduction disadvantage, so the gene for it (which is dominant) gets passed on to new generations