An inherited deficiency or absence of pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes is known as:

An inherited deficiency or absence of pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes is known as:

• A. Alopecia
• B. Anhidrosis
• C. Capillary hemangioma
• D. Albinism

Answer: (D)

Pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes comes from melanin produced by melanocytes. When melanin production is markedly reduced or absent due to a hereditary defect, the result is albinism. This condition is usually inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, so a child must inherit the defective gene from both parents. The lack of pigment makes the skin very light, hair pale or white, and irises light-colored, and it can affect vision because retinal pigment and optic pathways rely on melanin for normal development and function. People with albinism are more sensitive to sun exposure and may need protective measures for skin and eyes. The other options describe different issues (alopecia is hair loss, anhidrosis is absence of sweating, capillary hemangioma is a vascular birthmark) and do not involve a deficiency of pigment.

Pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes comes from melanin produced by melanocytes. When melanin production is markedly reduced or absent due to a hereditary defect, the result is albinism. This condition is usually inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, so a child must inherit the defective gene from both parents. The lack of pigment makes the skin very light, hair pale or white, and irises light-colored, and it can affect vision because retinal pigment and optic pathways rely on melanin for normal development and function. People with albinism are more sensitive to sun exposure and may need protective measures for skin and eyes. The other options describe different issues (alopecia is hair loss, anhidrosis is absence of sweating, capillary hemangioma is a vascular birthmark) and do not involve a deficiency of pigment.