Utah Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What are melanosomes primarily filled with?

1. Water

2. Keratin

3. Melanin

4. Collagen

The correct answer is: Melanin

Melanosomes are specialized organelles within melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, which is the pigment that gives color to our skin, hair, and eyes. These organelles are primarily filled with melanin, making them essential for the process of pigmentation. When UV radiation hits the skin, melanocytes increase melanin production, resulting in skin darkening as a protective response to prevent damage from the sun. The other options do not relate to the primary content of melanosomes. Water serves many functions in the skin but is not a component of melanosomes. Keratin is a structural protein found in skin, hair, and nails, but it is not contained in melanosomes. Collagen is a protein that provides structural support to the skin and is found in the dermal layer, not within melanosomes. Thus, the primary function of melanosomes is clearly associated with melanin production, confirming why melanin is the correct answer.