What is the Difference Between Albinism Melanism and Leucism?

The main differences between albinism, melanism, and leucism are related to the amount of melanin pigment present in the skin, hair, or eyes of an organism:

1. Albinism: This is a condition characterized by the complete absence of melanin in the skin, hair, and eyes. Animals with albinism appear pale, yellowish, or white due to the lack of melanin.
2. Melanism: This condition results in the excess production of melanin, leading to black or very dark-colored individuals. Melanism is the opposite of albinism, with a high amount of melanin present in the skin, hair, or eyes.
3. Leucism: This condition involves a partial loss of pigmentation, resulting in white or patchily colored skin, hair, or feathers. Leucism is different from albinism because it does not affect eye color, and pigment cells in the eyes are not affected. In leucism, only some areas of the body have a reduced amount of melanin, while other areas may appear normal.

In summary, albinism is characterized by the absence of melanin, melanism is characterized by an excess of melanin, and leucism involves a partial loss of pigmentation.

Comparative Table: Albinism Melanism vs Leucism

Here is a table comparing Albinism, Melanism, and Leucism:

All three conditions are related to pigmentation and are genetic mutations inherited disorders.