What type of melanin is responsible for producing black and brown hair colors?

The correct choice is the type of melanin known as eumelanin, which is responsible for the production of black and brown hair colors. Eumelanin comes in two forms: black eumelanin, which produces black hair, and brown eumelanin, which yields brown hair shades.

In the context of hair color, eumelanin's structure absorbs light well, leading to these darker pigmentation outcomes. It is predominant in individuals with darker hair colors and plays a critical role in covering the underlying cortex of the hair strand, thereby affecting the overall hue.

While phaeomelanin is another type of melanin that is mainly responsible for producing lighter hair colors, such as blonde and red tones, it does not contribute to black and brown hair. Therefore, understanding the roles of each type of melanin helps in comprehending the diversity in hair color.