What is the name of the pigment responsible for skin color?

The pigment that is primarily responsible for determining skin color is melanin. Melanin is produced by specialized cells called melanocytes located in the skin. It plays a crucial role in protecting the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. The amount and type of melanin produced by an individual's melanocytes results in the wide variety of skin tones observed in different populations.

In addition to melanin, there are other pigments such as hemoglobin, which gives blood its red color, and carotene, which can contribute to a yellow-orange hue in the skin but is not the main determinant of skin color. Chlorophyll, on the other hand, is the green pigment found in plants and is unrelated to human skin pigmentation. Therefore, melanin is the accurate answer as it directly relates to skin color.