MELANIN is a PIGMENT found in the skin, hair, and eyes of humans and other animals. It is responsible for the color of these features and is produced by cells called melanocytes. Melanin is also found in some plants and fungi and is thought to protect them from the sun's ultraviolet rays. It is a type of biological PIGMENT that is produced by specialized cells called melanocytes. Melanin is responsible for the color of skin, hair, and eyes, and it also helps protect the skin from the sun's ultraviolet rays.