Final answer:
Melanocytes, located in the stratum basale of the epidermis, manufacture and store melanin in melanosomes. They are present in albino individuals but fail to produce melanin effectively due to a genetic mutation. Melanin is made from tyrosine, not alanine.
Step-by-step explanation:
Melanocytes are specialized cells located in the stratum basale of the epidermis. Their primary function is to manufacture melanin from the amino acid tyrosine, not alanine, and to store this pigment within organelles known as melanosomes. When melanin is produced, it is packed into the melanosomes and eventually transferred to surrounding keratinocytes. In albino individuals, melanin production is disrupted due to a genetic mutation affecting the melanin production process. Therefore, they do have melanocytes; it is just that these cells are unable to produce melanin effectively.
Regarding the options provided in your question:
- A) Melanocytes are not located in the stratum corneum; they reside in the stratum basale.
- B) Albino individuals do have melanocytes; however, these cells are unable to synthesize melanin effectively due to a genetic mutation.
- C) Melanocytes do store melanin in melanosomes.
- D) Melanocytes manufacture melanin from the amino acid tyrosine, not alanine.
The correct statement about melanocytes is that they store melanin in melanosomes (option C).