Which statement is false about melanosomes and melanocytes?

Which statement is false about melanosomes and melanocytes?

• A. Melanosomes produce melanocytes that contain the pigment melanin.
• B. Melanocytes produce melanosomes that contain melanin.
• C. Melanin is produced by keratinocytes.
• D. Melanosomes are organelles that store melanin within melanocytes.

Answer: (A)

Melanin production happens inside melanocytes, in specialized organelles called melanosomes. The melanocyte makes melanin, packages it into melanosomes, and these pigment-filled melanosomes reside in the melanocyte and can be transferred to neighboring keratinocytes. So the idea that melanosomes produce melanocytes reverses the actual relationship and is incorrect. Melanosomes store melanin within melanocytes; melanin is not produced by keratinocytes.

Melanin production happens inside melanocytes, in specialized organelles called melanosomes. The melanocyte makes melanin, packages it into melanosomes, and these pigment-filled melanosomes reside in the melanocyte and can be transferred to neighboring keratinocytes. So the idea that melanosomes produce melanocytes reverses the actual relationship and is incorrect. Melanosomes store melanin within melanocytes; melanin is not produced by keratinocytes.