Final answer:
Melanocytes produce melanin, a brown pigment that gives skin its color and protects the dermis from UV light. The amount of melanin produced is influenced by heredity and exposure to UV light. Balance between sunlight and folic acid destruction, UV protection, and vitamin D production.
Step-by-step explanation:
The key function of the melanocyte is to produce melanin, which is a brown pigment that gives skin its color and protects the dermis from UV light. Melanin is produced by melanocytes, which are specialized cells located in the epidermis.
Everyone has approximately the same number of melanocytes, but the melanocytes of people with darker skin produce more melanin. The amount of melanin produced is determined by heredity and exposure to UV light. Melanocytes produce melanin in response to sun exposure, which stimulates keratinocytes to secrete chemicals that activate the melanocytes, resulting in the darkening of the skin or a tan.
Excessive melanin production can interfere with the production of vitamin D, an important nutrient involved in calcium absorption. Therefore, the amount of melanin present in our skin is dependent on a balance between available sunlight and folic acid destruction, as well as protection from UV radiation and vitamin D production.