What are exogenous and endogenous pigments, and what are their characteristics?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for information about different types of pigments, specifically exogenous and endogenous pigments, their characteristics, and their significance in biological contexts.
Answer
Exogenous pigments come from outside; endogenous pigments form inside the body.
Exogenous pigments originate from outside the body, such as coal dust in anthracosis. Endogenous pigments, like lipofuscin, form within the body. Lipofuscin, derived from cell membrane phospholipids, appears as a perinuclear brown pigment, often in the liver and heart.
Answer for screen readers
Exogenous pigments originate from outside the body, such as coal dust in anthracosis. Endogenous pigments, like lipofuscin, form within the body. Lipofuscin, derived from cell membrane phospholipids, appears as a perinuclear brown pigment, often in the liver and heart.
More Information
Exogenous pigments are often environmental, like carbon from pollution. Endogenous pigments include hematogenous ones (from blood) and non-hematogenous, such as melanin and lipofuscin. Lipofuscin is commonly known as the 'aging pigment' due to its accumulation over time.
Tips
Common mistakes include confusing the source of pigments (exogenous vs. endogenous) and misunderstanding their role and characteristics, such as thinking lipofuscin is deposited due to recent damage rather than as a result of oxidative stress over time.
Sources
- Histochemical characteristics of the different pigments - greek.doctor
- Endogenous Pigments - LabCE.com - labce.com
- Pigmentation - Pathology - WikiVet English - en.wikivet.net
