What cell produces melanin?

• A. Melanocytes
• B. Keratinocytes
• C. Langerhans cells
• D. Fibroblasts

Answer: (A)

Melanin is produced by specialized pigment-producing cells in the epidermis called melanocytes. These cells synthesize melanin inside pigment-containing melanosomes and then transfer it to neighboring keratinocytes. This pigment helps shield skin cell DNA from UV damage and contributes to skin color. Keratinocytes mainly make keratin, not pigment; Langerhans cells are immune cells in the epidermis; and fibroblasts produce collagen in the dermis. So the cell that makes melanin is the melanocyte.