What is the name of the mature melanin-forming cell found in the skin?

The mature melanin-forming cell found in the skin is called a melanocyte. Melanocytes are specialized cells located in the basal layer of the epidermis, where they produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color and protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Melanin is essential for absorbing and dissipating UV light, thereby helping to prevent DNA damage that can lead to skin cancer. This makes melanocytes an important component of the skin's defense mechanism. Unlike keratinocytes, which are the primary cells in the epidermis that produce keratin, melanocytes specifically focus on melanin production.

Meissner's corpuscles are sensory receptors located in the dermis that are responsible for sensitivity to light touch, while eccrine glands are sweat glands important for thermoregulation but do not play a role in pigmentation. Understanding the functions and characteristics of these cells highlights the uniqueness of melanocytes in the context of skin biology.