Urinalysis and Body Fluids 6th Edition by Majorie DiLorenzo, Susan Strasinger

Exercise 3

A urine specimen containing melanin will appear:

A. Pale pink

B. Dark yellow

C. Blue-green

D. Black

Step 1 of 2

Melanin:

Melanin is a pigment that gives dark color to skin, hair and eyes.

• Melanin pigment is synthesized by oxidation of melanogen.

• Homogentisic acid in urine is the outcome of alkaptonuria, a disease of in-born errors of metabolism will give black color to urine

• Urine which turns black color can contain melanin pigment.

Therefore, urine specimen appears “black” in color when melanin pigment is present. Hence, the correct answer is option.