<P> Albinism results from inheritance of recessive gene alleles and is known to affect all vertebrates , including humans . It is due to absence or defect of tyrosinase , a copper - containing enzyme involved in the production of melanin . It is the opposite of melanism . Unlike humans , other animals have multiple pigments and for these , albinism is considered to be a hereditary condition characterised by the absence of melanin in particular , in the eyes , skin , hair , scales , feathers or cuticle . While an organism with complete absence of melanin is called an albino an organism with only a diminished amount of melanin is described as leucistic or albinoid . The term is from the Latin albus , `` white '' . </P>
<P> Albinism results from inheritance of recessive gene alleles and is known to affect all vertebrates , including humans . It is due to absence or defect of tyrosinase , a copper - containing enzyme involved in the production of melanin . It is the opposite of melanism . Unlike humans , other animals have multiple pigments and for these , albinism is considered to be a hereditary condition characterised by the absence of melanin in particular , in the eyes , skin , hair , scales , feathers or cuticle . While an organism with complete absence of melanin is called an albino an organism with only a diminished amount of melanin is described as leucistic or albinoid . The term is from the Latin albus , `` white '' . </P>
albinism is due to the inability to make
albinism is due to the inability to make
melanin
melanin