0
What is the cause of little or no melanin production in albinism?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Albinism is caused by genetic mutations that affect the production of a pigment called melanin. There is a cell called the melanocyte that is responsible for giving skin, hair, and eyes pigmentation. In albinism, the melanocytes are present, but genetic mutations interfere with their pigment production or their ability to distribute it to keratinocytes (the major cell type comprising the epidermis, or outer layer of the skin).
There are currently five known genetic types of albinism, the most common being oculocutaneous type 1 (OCA1) and type 2 (OCA2). Oculocutaneous means affecting the eyes and skin ("oculo" meaning eye and "cutaneous" meaning skin).
The genetic mutation is usually the result of both parents having the recessive gene. However, some forms of albinism have resulted when only one parent had the recessive gene.
It is the condition that is caused by inability of the body to produce a melanin pigment. Albinism is a recessive trait inherited disease, meaning you have inherited two albinism genes, one from each of your parent.
When, say, first cousins or brothers and sisters marry their children have to many of the same gene, that happening, it ends up in albism. there is no 'cure' for albinism You are born with it and that's that.
I f 2 parents, a mother and a father, each had 1 albinism gene each of their children would have a 1 in 2 chance of carrying the gene themselves and a 1 in 4 chance of being albino that is the cause of albinism
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Do chemicals cause albinism?
albinism is a genetic condition where the body does not produce melanin pigment.
Why does the colour of skin varies among people?
Varying amounts of melanin (skin pigment) based on genes and or bodily response to irradiation from the sun. (sun exposure will cause increased melanin production, also known as getting a tan)
How do melanin carotene and blood affect skin color?
Melanin darkens skin. It is also responsible for photoprotection, ie resistance to ultraviolet light-induced skin damage. This is achieved by rapidly converting incoming ultraviolet light into heat, which is much less likely to cause problems like free radicals. Thus, sunlight exposure tends to stimulate melanin production.
What systems does albinism effect?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albinism Albino" redirects here. For other uses, see Albino (disambiguation). Semi-protected Albinism Classification and external resources Girl from Honduras with probable OCA1a-type albinism. ICD-10 E70.3 ICD-9 270.2 OMIM 203100 103470, 203200, 203280, 203290, 203300, 203310, 256710, 278400, 214450, 214500, 220900, 300500, 300600, 300650, 300700, 600501, 604228, 606574, 606952, 607624, 609227 DiseasesDB 318 MedlinePlus 001479 eMedicine derm/12 MeSH D000417 Albinism (from Latin albus, "white"; see extended etymology, also called achromia, achromasia, or achromatosis; not to be confused with albedo) is a form of hypopigmentary congenital disorder, characterized by a partial (in hypomelanism, also known as hypomelanosis) or total (amelanism or amelanosis) lack of melanin pigment in the eyes, skin and hair (or more rarely the eyes alone). Albinism results from inheritance of recessive alleles. The condition is known to affect mammals (including humans), fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians. While the most common term for an organism affected by albinism is "albino" (noun and adjective), the word is sometimes used in derogatory ways towards people; more neutral terms are "albinistic" (adjective) and "person with albinism" (noun). Additional clinical adjectives sometimes used to refer to animals are "albinoid" and "albinic". Albinism is hereditary; it is not an infectious disease and cannot be transmitted through contact, blood transfusions, or other vectors. The principal gene which results in albinism prevents the body from making the usual amounts of the pigment melanin. Most forms of albinism are the result of the biological inheritance of genetically recessive alleles (genes) passed from both parents of an individual, though some rare forms are inherited from only one parent. There are other genetic mutations which are proven to be associated with albinism. All alterations, however, lead to changes in melanin production in the body.[1][2] Albinism was formerly categorized as tyrosinase-positive or -negative. In cases of tyrosinase-positive albinism, the enzyme tyrosinase is present. The melanocytes (pigment cells) are unable to produce melanin for any one of a variety of reasons that do not directly involve the tyrosinase enzyme. In tyrosinase-negative cases, either the tyrosinase enzyme is not produced or a nonfunctional version is produced. This classification has been rendered obsolete by recent research.[3] The chance of offspring with albinism resulting from the pairing of an organism with albinism and one without albinism is low, as discussed in more detail below. However, because organisms can be carriers of genes for albinism without exhibiting any traits, albinistic offspring can be produced by two non-albinistic parents. Albinism usually occurs with equal frequency in both genders.[1] An exception to this is ocular albinism, because it is passed on to offspring through X-linked inheritance. Thus, males more frequently have ocular albinism as they do not have a second X chromosome.[3] Albino Bennett's Wallaby, Bruny Island, Tasmania, Australia Because organisms with albinism have skin that lacks (sufficiently or entirely) the dark pigment melanin, which helps protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation coming from the sun, they can sunburn easily from overexposure. (See human skin color for more information). Lack of melanin in the eye also results in problems with vision, related and unrelated to photosensitivity, which are discussed further below. Most humans and many animals with albinism appear white or very pale; the multiple types of melanin pigment are responsible for brown, black, gray, and some yellow colorations. In some animals, especially albinistic birds and reptiles, ruddy and yellow hues or other colors may be present on the entire body or in patches (as is common among pigeons), due to the presence of other pigments unaffected by albinism such as porphyrins, pteridines and psittacins, as well as carotenoid pigments derived from the diet. Some animals are white or pale due to chromatophore (pigment cell) defects, do not lack melanin production, and have normal eyes; they are referred to as leucistic. The direct opposite of albinism, an unusually high level of melanin pigmentation (and sometimes absence of other types of pigment in species that have more than one), is known as melanism, and results in an appearance darker than non-melanistic specimens from the same genepool.[4] Albinism-like conditions may affect other pigments or pigment-production mechanisms in some animals (e.g. "whiteface", a lack of psittacins that can affect some parrot species.).[5] Another is common in reptiles and amphibians: axanthism, in which xanthophore metabolism, instead of synthesis of melanin, is affected, resuling in reduction or absence of red and yellow pteridine pigments.[6] Of all these conditions, only albinism and melanism affect humans. An albino Wistar rat, a strain commonly used for both biomedical and basic research. The eyes of an animal with albinism occasionally appear red due to the underlying retinal blood vessels showing through where there is not enough pigment to cover them. In humans this is rarely the case, as a human eye is quite large and thus produces enough pigment to lend opacity to the eye, often colouring the iris pale blue. However, there are cases in which the eyes of an albinistic person appear red or purple, depending on the amount of pigment present. The albinistic are generally (but see related disorders below) as healthy as the rest of their species, with growth and development occurring as normal, and albinism by itself does not cause mortality[1] (though the lack of pigment is an elevated risk for skin cancer and other problems.) Many animals with albinism lack their protective camouflage and are unable to conceal themselves from their predators or prey; the survival rate of animals with albinism in the wild is usually quite low.[7][8] However the novelty of albino animals has occasionally led to their protection by groups such as the Albino Squirrel Preservation Society. Intentionally-bred albinistic strains of some animal species are commonly used as model organisms in biomedical study and experimentation. Examples include the BALB/c mouse and Wistar and Sprague Dawley rat strains, while albino rabbits were historically used for Draize toxicity testing. [9] Albino axolotls, zebrafish, medaka and frogs are other common laboratory animals. The yellow mutation in fruit flies is their version of albinism. The incidence of albinism can be artificially increased in fish by exposing the eggs to heavy metals.[10] About 1 in 17,000 human beings has some type of albinism, although up to 1 in 70 is a carrier of albinism genes.[11]
Do tanning tablets work?
Tanning Pills normally contain an ingredient call L-Tyrosine. This ingredient helps increase melanin production. The more melanin that is created...the more it will rise to the surface of your skin. In basic terms...UV Light will cause the melanin to react, darken & spread out on the skin. Thus a tan is created. The body naturally produces melanin...but kick starting the production using a tanning pill will work. Note: This same ingredient is also in almost all indoor tanning accelerators that are available for purchase when visiting a tanning salon. Whether applied topically or ingested, it basically works the same.
Is albinism a chromosome disorder?
no albinism is a genetic disorders that changes an offsprings physical appearance from its original parents. it may also bring out the offsprings recessive traits. its also a cause of mental retardation
Can albinism be cure?
As of now, albinism cannot be cured. This is because albinism is a hereditary disorder and the cause lies at the genetic level. To change the genetic code of each and every cell of the body is an impossible task. That is why, there is no cure for albinism yet but hopefully in the near future, scientists may be able to control the genetic make-up of an individual.
Albinism?
DefinitionAlbinism is a defect of melanin production that results in little or no color (pigment) in the skin, hair, and eyes.Alternative NamesOculocutaneous albinism; Ocular albinism; Hermansky-Pudlak syndromeCauses, incidence, and risk factorsAlbinism occurs when one of several genetic defects makes the body unable to produce or distribute melanin, a natural substance that gives color to your hair, skin, and iris of the eye.The defects may be passed down through families.There are two main types of albinism:Type 1 albinism is caused by defects that affect production of the pigment, melanin.Type 2 albinism is due to a defect in the "P" gene. People with this type have slight coloring at birth.The most severe form of albinism is called oculocutaneous albinism. People with this type of albinism have white or pink hair, skin, and iris color, as well as vision problems.Another type of albism, called ocular albinism type 1 (OA1), affects only the eyes. The person's skin and eye colors are usually in the normal range. However, an eye exam will show that there is no coloring in the back of the eye (retina).Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is a form of albinism caused by a single gene. It can occur with a bleeding disorder, as well as with lung and bowel diseases.Other complex diseases may lead to loss of coloring in only a certain area (localized albinism). These conditions include:Chediak-Higashi syndrome (lack of coloring all over the skin, but not complete)Tuberous sclerosis (small areas without skin coloring )Waardenburg syndrome (often a lock of hair that grows on the forehead, or no coloring in one or both irises)SymptomsA person with albinism will have one of the following symptoms:Absence of color in the hair, skin, or iris of the eyeLighter-than-normal skin and hairPatchy, missing skin colorMany forms of albinism are associated with the following symptoms:Crossed eyes (strabismus)Light sensitivity (photophobia)Rapid eye movements (nystagmus)Vision problems, or functional blindnessSigns and testsGenetic testing offers the most accurate way to diagnose albinism. Such testing is helpful if you have a family history of albinism. It is also useful for certain groups of people who are known to get the disease.Your doctor may also diagnose the condition based on the appearance of your skin, hair, and eyes. An ophthalmologist should perform a electroretinogram test, which can reveal vision problems related to albinism. A visual evoked potentials test can be very useful when the diagnosis is uncertain.TreatmentThe goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms. Treatment depends on the severity of the disorder.Treatment involves protecting the skin and eyes from the sun:Reduce sunburn risk by avoiding the sun, using sunscreen, and covering up completely with clothing when exposed to the sun.Sunscreen should have a high sun protection factor (SPF).Sunglasses (UV protected) may relieve light sensitivity.Glasses are often prescribed to correct vision problems and eye position. Eye muscle surgery is sometimes recommended to correct abnormal eye movements (nystagmus).Support GroupsNational Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation -- www.albinism.orgInternational Albinism Center -- www.med.umn.edu/ophthalmology/centers/albinism/home.htmlHermansky-Pudlak Syndrome Network -- www.hpsnetwork.orgExpectations (prognosis)Albinism does not usually affect lifespan. Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome can, however, shorten lifespan due to lung disease or bleeding problems.People with albinism may be limited in their activities because they can't tolerate the sun.ComplicationsDecreased vision, blindnessSkin cancerCalling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you have albinism or symptoms such as light sensitivity that cause discomfort. Also call if you notice any skin changes that might be an early sign of skin cancer.PreventionBecause albinism is inherited, genetic counseling is important. People with a family history of albinism or hypopigmentation should consider genetic counseling.ReferencesSummer GS. Albinism: classification, clinical characteristics, and recent findings. Optom Vis Sci. 2009;86:659-662.
Identify the hormone responsible for regulating skin pigmentation?
melatonin is the pigment which increases skin pigmentation. This is produced by melanocyte stimulating harmonemelanocyte-stimulating hormoneMelanin stimulating hormone, or melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH). It is produced in the pituitary and cause melanocytes to increase production of melanin, the pigment responsible for darkening of the skin.
What is the structural basis of skin color?
Skin color is determined by phenotype. Phenotypes are like genetics (inherited by the parents) but can change during a person's life, and some times, but very uncommon, a baby is born with a different phenotype then either parent. Melanin is the pigment that causes differing skin colors. Differing amounts cause the range in colors from white (with little melanin or most of the melanin concentrated into moles and freckles) to black with high levels of melanin spread through the skin. There are other factors, but scientists seem to disagree on what all affects skin color.
How does Melanin protect us from the sun?
Melanin is a pigment that affects your skin to keep it the color it is. Melanin is brown. The more melanin in the skin, the darker the colour of the skin is. Melanin helps the skin by protecting it from the UV rays of the sun. Albinos are prone to a variety of skin diseases.Melanin are the cells in our skin that are colored. They are the color pigmentation that we have. The larger and closer together the cells are, the darker the skin color. When your talking about Hw, you are most likely talking about physics.
What would cause a girl's hair to turn brown during early adolescence?
Changes in the bodies chemicals during puberty can result in more Melanin being produced. Melanin is the pigment created in the hair follicule by specialised cells which colours the hair. The less Melanin produced the more blonde the hair will appear.
