Absence of melanin is most closely described by which term?

• A. KeratIN
• B. Hemoglobin
• C. Melanin
• D. Collagen

Answer: (C)

The concept here is recognizing what substance governs skin color. Melanin is the pigment produced by specialized cells in the epidermis that gives color to skin, hair, and eyes. When talking about lack of pigment, the substance involved is melanin itself—its presence or absence determines color. The other options are different materials in the body: keratin is the structural protein in hair, nails, and the outer skin; hemoglobin is the red pigment in blood that carries oxygen; collagen is a connective tissue protein that provides structure. So, among the choices, melanin best fits the idea of a pigment whose absence relates to coloration. If melanin is lacking, you’d describe hypopigmentation or albinism, though those terms aren’t among the options.