Posted by:
Paul Hollander
at Fri Mar 10 17:20:48 2006 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by Paul Hollander ]
Exactly! Because of the mutant gene, an amelanistic (AKA albino) corn snake is unable to make black pigment, but it can still make the red/yellow pigments in an entirely unrelated biosynthetic pathway. The same is true in other albino snakes. The corn just has a LOT more red/yellow pigment than most other snakes.
The yellow pigment that mammals produce is made in a branch of the biosynthetic pathway that makes black pigment. The albino mutant gene in mammals blocks the biosynthetic pathway right at the beginning. That is why an albino mammal doesn't show any yellow coloration.
As for the albino polar bear, I read somewhere that polar bears have black skin. An albino polar bear could not make black pigment, so it would have white fur, pinkish-white skin, and pink eyes from the reflection of light from blood in the capillary bed underlying the skin and retinas.
Paul Hollander
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RE: Ditto! - Paul Hollander, Fri Mar 10 17:20:48 2006