melanocyte
/ˈmɛlənoʊˌsaɪt/
noun
- A cell in the skin, hair, and eyes that produces melanin, the pigment that gives color to skin, hair, and eyes.
- Sun exposure stimulates melanocytes to produce more melanin, which causes tanning.
- Melanocytes are responsible for the color of your skin and hair.
- When melanocytes are damaged, they can stop producing pigment, leading to white patches.