Absence of melanin results in a condition called ___________.

Sure! Here are step-by-step solutions for understanding albinism: **Step 1:** Define albinism as a genetic condition that affects the production of melanin, the pigment that gives color to the skin, hair, and eyes. **Step 2:** Explain the different types of albinism, including oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) and ocular albinism (OA). OCA affects the skin, hair, and eyes, while OA only affects the eyes. **Step 3:** Describe the symptoms of albinism, such as: - Very light skin and hair - Light-colored eyes (usually blue or gray) - Vision problems, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and sensitivity to light **Step 4:** Explain how albinism is inherited. It is a recessive trait, which means that a child must inherit two copies of the mutated gene (one from each parent) to develop albinism. **Step 5:** Discuss the challenges that people with albinism may face, such as: - Increased risk of sunburn and skin cancer - Vision problems that may require corrective lenses or surgery - Social stigma and discrimination **Step 6:** Provide information on how albinism can be managed, such as: - Wearing protective clothing and sunscreen to reduce the risk of sunburn and skin cancer - Using corrective lenses or undergoing surgery to correct vision problems - Seeking support from organizations that provide resources and advocacy for people with albinism **Step 7:** Emphasize the importance of raising awareness and promoting acceptance of people with albinism to combat social stigma and discrimination.