What are melanocytes? What do they do?

Melanocytes are a specialized type of skin cell, present in humans and other animals. These cells, which are vital for the protection of the skin against the damaging effects of exposure to U. V light, are the ones responsible for the production of melanin, a pigment that will give the skin, and hair, their characteristic color.

Melanocytes originate germinally from the neural crest and they can be easily found on the matrix of hair an also on the basal portion of the skin layers, on the epidermis.

A person's darkened skin color can be the result of prolongued exposure to sun radiation, which will lead melanocytes to produce melanin in increased amounts, or it can also be because of an uncharacteristic reproduction of melanocytes themselves, for various reasons.