Melanin is produced from which amino acid?

Melanin, the pigment responsible for the color of skin, hair, and eyes, is synthesized from the amino acid tyrosine. The process begins with the conversion of tyrosine to DOPA (dihydroxyphenylalanine), which is then further oxidized and polymerized to form melanin. Tyrosine's role as the precursor in this biochemical pathway is crucial, as melanin's formation depends on its structural components.

In contrast, while phenylalanine, which is a precursor to tyrosine, is important in overall amino acid metabolism, it does not directly convert to melanin without first being transformed into tyrosine. Glutamine and serine are not involved in the melanin synthesis pathway; they serve different metabolic functions and do not play a role in pigment production.