melanosome
/ˈmɛlənoʊˌsoʊm/
noun
- A small organelle within a cell that produces and stores melanin, the pigment responsible for skin, hair, and eye color.
- The number and size of melanosomes determine how dark a person's skin is.
- In albinism, melanosomes are present but do not produce melanin properly.
- Melanosomes are transferred from melanocytes to skin cells to give color.