Melanocytes

In normal skin, melanocytes are found in the basal layer, interspersed among the basal keratinocytes.

Dendrites are in contact with 30-40 keratinocytes.

Melanocytes contain organelles (melanosomes) which produce melanin (skin pigment).

Melanosomes move from cytoplasm into dendrites and are transferred to surrounding keratinocytes. They form a protective cap over the cell nucleus to protect DNA from UV induced mutation

Variations in skin colour are not determined by the number of melanocytes but by the number, size and distribution of melanosomes and the volume of melanin produced.