science Of melanin 
user: Aton Crow   I Thought that this imformation should be revelant http://www.assatashakur.org/forum/afrikan-wholistic-health/11932-melanin-story-chinese.html

Melanin Factors

Karanja Keita Carroll

One of the most controversial areas of Afrikan/Black psychology is the role of melanin within certain areas of theory and research. While this topic is controversial and actually causes some to disregard this research, we must continually critically investigate the theories and research that is produced around this biological chemical of life. Azibo (2002) actually argues, â€œ[t]his area of study is deserving of our best scholarship, not our ignorant, out of hand, and deferential to white sensibilities derisionâ€ (p. 429). In accord with Aziboâ€™s statement, this essay will attempt to systematically engage the role of melanin within humans, and Afrikans in particular. The information presented here will also show the connections Afrikan/Black psychologists are able to make between melanin and Afrikan behavioral functioning. 

Melanin can be defined as a class of pigments found in the cosmos. Etymologically the term comes from the Greek melanos, meaning black (Barnes, 1988). There are four major types of melanin: eumelanin, phaeomelanin, allomelanin and neuromelanin. Each type of melanin represents a different composition and location within the body. While the first three types of melanin can be found throughout areas of the body, neuromelanin is the only type of melanin found in the brain (Owens Moore, 1995; King, 1991a, 1991b). The most important feature of melanin is its ability to absorb, retain, store and regenerate energy.

To understand the importance of melanin to optimal human functioning we must look at the foundation of creation in human beings. This process is known as embryogenesis. According to Bynum (1999),

During embryogenesis or the development of the embryo in the uterus, there is an interesting unfoldment. After conception the female egg begins to divide into a cluster of fetal cells called a blastula. The initial blastula unfolds three distinct layers of cells, the outermost level or ectoderm, the inner layer or endoderm, and the mesoderm...The ectoderm layer contains melanin in high concentrations throughout its region (Pearse, 1969; Pearse & Takor, 1976). Only 28 hours after conception, the ecotoderm has moved into the interior of the blastula and begun to form a neural tube. During embroygenesis0 this neural tube develops into the precursor of the brain and spinal line. The neural tube unfolds into the spinal cord, the end of the tube or the neural crest mid-point develops into the brain, and very importantly, the cells along the tube evolve into light sensitive melanocyctes, which eventually develop into all of the endocrine glands, e.g., pineal, pituitary, adrenal, mast cells, hypothalamus, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas and others that will develop in the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and heart (King, 1990; Welbourn, 1977). (p. 148-159)

While this extensive quotation by Bynum clearly shows the role of melanin in the embroygenesis process, what must be understood is that without melanin in this process, life does not begin.

Also, from this extensive quotation, we are able to see the many areas melanin affects the human system. The most important layer of the blastula is the ectoderm which creates the neural tube, neural crest, and the epidermal layer. The neural tube and neural crest will transform into the brain and spinal cord (Central Nervous System/CNS) and the external sense organs (ears, eyes). The epidermal layer will transform into the epidermis and epidermal tissues. The CNS controls the sensory, neuromuscular, hormonal organs of the body. Impairment of the CNS affects human sensitivity, movement and consciousness (Owens Moore, 1995). Ultimately with this discussion of the ectoderm, we see that as the Afrikan worldview states, everything is interrelated and connected. This will have a profound effect upon the impact of melanin on behavioral functioning.

From this very general overview, we come to recognize the role of melanin throughout the human organism. Areas of importance that have high levels of melanin include the epidermis, hair, eyes, ears and brain. Within the brain, specifically the brainstem, locus coloreous, substantia nigra, pituitary gland and pineal gland (Barnes, 1988; King, 2001a, 2001b). 

The role of melanin within embryogenesis lays the foundation of melanin throughout the human organism. What must be stressed is the fact that all organisms have melanin, but the level and proportion of melanin distribution strictly reflects oneâ€™s historical relation to their environment (Lasker, 1969)