Role of Melanin

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

• breaks it down

• builds it up

• creates it

• makes it stronger

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.

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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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

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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

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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

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.

Melanin protects

• Vitamin D breakdown

• Folate breakdown

• DNA from getting mutations

• Bones from breakdown