Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 1, 2026

06:08
Quantification of Hypopigmentation Activity In Vitro
Published on: March 6, 2019
Semiconductor properties of melanins prepared from catecholamines
M M Jastrzebska1, K Stepień, J Wilczok
1Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Silesian Medical Academy, Sosnowiec, Poland.
General Physiology and Biophysics
|August 1, 1990
Abstract:
D. C. dark - and photoconductivity measurements were performed with synthetic melanins prepared by oxidative polymerization of dopamine, adrenaline, adrenochrome and adrenolutin. The melanins examined show significant differences in conductivity, thermal activation energy and photocurrent intensity values. The differences in semiconductor properties observed between the melanins reflect the structure differences of catecholamine-melanin polymers.
Related Concept Videos
Physical Properties of Amines
Amines with low molecular weight are usually gaseous at room temperature, while those with high molecular weight are liquid or solids in nature. Usually, low molecular weight amines have a rotten fish-like smell. Diamines typically have a pungent smell. For instance, cadaverine and putrescine, depicted in Figure 1, are two molecules responsible for decaying tissue.
Pigmentation
The color of the skin is influenced by a number of pigments, including melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Recall that melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found scattered throughout the stratum basale of the epidermis. The melanin is transferred to the keratinocytes via melanosomes.
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...

