The Biology of Skin Color

Traveling away from the equator, what happens in general to the amount of UV intensity?

• The intensity decreases.

• The intensity increases

• The intensity stays the same.

• It is impossible to predict.

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

Your baseline skin color is determined mostly by

• Genetic Inheritance 
• Environmental factors
• Culture
• Diet

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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

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What kind of cells are located in the stratum basale and create melanin?

• Keratinocyte
• Melanocyte
• Leukocyte
• Erythrocyte

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

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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

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

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

Do Biologists classify specific forms of traits as good or bad. For example, long tails in cats could be classified as good and short tails as bad.

• Yes, traits are always good or bad
• No, It depends on where they are found

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