Talk:Melanin

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Melanin in fungi

Radiation-loving fungi: the perfect space food? [1] Appearently, some fungi uses melanin to harness radiation. The test used Gamma Rays and it worked. Thanks, CarpD 5/24/07.

Refractile?

There seems to be contradictory language in the article. The microscopic image at top of page shows dark spots, and describes them as "light refracting." It appears that these bodies are mostly absorbing light, but could also be refracting what is not absorbed. Later in the article, melanin is described as "non-refractile." Could we have an expert weigh in more on optical properties?

Obsolete language

The sentence "Pheomelanins, unlike eumelanins, are rare in lower organisms[17] with claims they are an "evolutionary innovation in the tetrapod lineage"[18] but recent research finds them also in some fish.[19]" should be rephrased. The distinction between "lower" and "higher" organisms is obsolete in modern biology, and implies ideas such as "humans are the highest evolutionary achievement" 2A00:102A:5056:7357:0:0:2780:A054 (talk) 22:18, 1 August 2025 (UTC)[reply]