pigmentation

Everyday

1. The natural colour of skin, hair, eyes, leaves or other living things, caused by pigments (coloured substances). tree →
2. Coloured spots or patches on skin. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, melanin is the pigment that gives skin, hair and eyes their colour; more melanin means darker skin. Leaves are green because of chlorophyll. Animals' pigmentation can help camouflage. Difference in skin pigmentation is natural and says nothing about a person's worth.

Examples

• Skin pigmentation comes from melanin. tree →
• The frog's bright pigmentation warns that it is poisonous. tree →
• Albino animals lack pigmentation. tree →
• Sun can cause dark pigmentation spots on skin. tree →
• Autumn leaves change pigmentation as chlorophyll breaks down. tree →
• Human skin pigmentation varies, and all of it is normal. tree →

Note

Uncountable. From pigment (a colouring substance). Albinism means little or no pigment; people with albinism need extra sun protection.