Vetinerary Assistant Practice Exam

What do albino animals primarily lack in their bodies?

1. Keratin

2. Melanin

3. Collagen

4. Vitamin D

The correct answer is: Melanin

Albino animals primarily lack melanin, which is the pigment responsible for coloration in skin, hair, and eyes. This absence of melanin occurs due to a genetic mutation affecting the production of the enzyme tyrosinase, which is essential for the synthesis of melanin from certain amino acids. As a result, albino animals often exhibit white or very light-colored fur or skin, and their eyes may appear pink or red due to the visibility of blood vessels. Melanin serves several important functions: it protects against ultraviolet (UV) radiation, contributes to the coloration of the body, and affects vision in the eyes. The lack of melanin in albino animals can make them more sensitive to light and more vulnerable to sunburn and skin cancers, as they do not have the protective benefits that melanin provides. Other options like keratin, collagen, and vitamin D, while important for other physiological functions, are not primarily associated with the pigmentation characteristic of albino animals. Keratin is a structural protein found in hair and nails, collagen is essential for connective tissues, and vitamin D is crucial for calcium metabolism and overall health, but none of these directly relate to the lack of coloring associated with albinism.