The Biology of Skin Colour

The Biology of Skin Colour

Multiple Choice

What is melanin?

• A protein pigment that absorbs and reflects light
• A protein that is waterproof and tough
• A cell found in the epidermis
• A vitamin that helps you sleep

Multiple Choice

What kind of cells create melanin?

• Keratinocyte
• Melanocyte
• Leukocyte
• Erythrocyte

Multiple Choice

Folate is:

• a B-Vitamin

• used to make DNA and other genetic material

• important for pregnancy

• all of the above

Multiple Choice

What does sunlight (UV exposure) do to folate in our body?

• breaks it down

• builds it up

• creates it

• makes it stronger

Multiple Choice

Who would be most a risk for developing the bone disease rickets?

• Children born to mothers with light skin, living far from the equator. This is because rickets is caused by vitamin D deficiency, and children with dark skin absorb less UV light.

• Children born to mothers with dark skin, living far from the equator. This is because rickets is caused by vitamin D deficiency, and children with dark skin absorb less UV light.

Multiple Choice

Who would be most at risk of developing rickets, a bone disease caused by insufficient calcium absorption?

• Children born to mothers with dark skin living far from the equator.

• Adults with dark skin who live close to the equator.

• Children born to mothers with light skin, living close to the equator.

• Adults with light skin who live close to the equator.

• Anyone who eats a diet that includes a lot of fish

Multiple Choice

Different tones of human skin color evolved 

• in response to varying levels of UV radiation in the environment
• Randomly and for no reason at all

Multiple Choice

What is the evolutionary benefit for dark skin near the equator?

• Skin cancer protection
• Folate Protection
• It has no evolutionary relationship
• Easier vitamin D production

Multiple Choice

What is the evolutionary benefit of light skin in the northern latitude.

• Skin cancer protection
• Folate Protection
• It has no evolutionary relationship
• Easier vitamin D production

Multiple Choice

If a person lives in an environment with low radiation what kind of skin color would be the best adapted

• Darker skin tones to increase production of Vitamin D Synthesis
• Darker skin tones to protect DNA and Folate
• Lighter Skin tones to increase production of Vitamin D
• Lighter Skin tones to protect DNA and Folate

Multiple Choice

How does melanin protect cell's DNA from the damaging effects of Ultraviolet light?

• It relies on folate

• It doesn't you must use sunscreen

• it activates vitamin D3 production which takes care of that

• Forms a protective cap over the nucleus of skin cells

Multiple Choice

The graph in Figure 2 summarizes the age at which people are diagnosed with melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. When would you see the most likely chance of developing skin cancer?

• 35-44
• 45-54
• 55-64
• 65-74