title: A hypothetical structure of melanin and its relation to biology.
abstract: Measurements of optical absorption of synthetic and natural melanins during their degradation in sodium hydroxide establish that from the "optical" point of view these polymers consist of two different parts. An explanation of this result and its possible relation to the biological role of melanin is given.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D006197:Hair / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008543:Melanins / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009799:Ocular Physiological Phenomena; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide