Laboratory: Session 14

Lesson Preview:
1. Cyanosis exhibits a bluish discoloration of the skin. TRUE
2. Melanocyte is responsible for bluish discoloration of the skin. FALSE
3. One factor of skin color is the amount of melanin we have in the body. TRUE
Check for understanding
Indicate the possible color / condition of the following statements.
1. This happens when the oxygen levels in the blood flow is decreased.
Bluish color
2. Mrs. Choi noticed a discoloration in her underarm during her pregnancy.
Dark color
3. Eika has a classmate whose skin is so fair and even her hair is colored white. She
said to Eika that this is her color since birth. What do you think is the condition of her
classmate?
Albinism
4. Excessive amounts carotene when consume will make your skin turn to what color?
Yellowish
5. What color you will most likely see when assessing palms or lips of someone who is
bleeding profusely?
Bluish color
AL Activity
Summary of skin color
Melanin, hemoglobin, and carotene are three pigments that impart a wide variety
of colors to skin. Melanin is the group of pigments primarily responsible for skin, hair,
and eye color. The amount of melanin causes the skin’s color to vary from pale yellow
to reddish-brown to black. Melanin provides protection against ultraviolet light from the
sun. Melanosomes moves into the cell processes of the melanocytes. Melanocytes, the
melanin-producing cells, large amounts of melanin can darken areas. Carotene is a
yellow pigment found in plants such as squash and carrots. Cyanosis produces a bluish
color of the skin. Albinism is a recessive genetic trait that causes a deficiency or an
absence of melanin. Albinos have fair skin, white hair, and unpigmented irises in the
eyes.