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Biology of Skin Color

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 21mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What does this image represent?

a)

weather conditions

b)

amount of ultraviolet light intensity

c)

skin color

d)

altitude

2.

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

a)

The intensity decreases.

b)

The intensity increases

c)

The intensity stays the same.

d)

It is impossible to predict.

3.

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

a)

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

b)

Adults with dark skin who live close to the equator.

c)

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

d)

Adults with light skin who live close to the equator.

e)

Anyone who eats a diet that includes a lot of fish

4.
Your skin color is determined by your
a)
Genetic Inheritance 
b)
Environmental factors
c)
Culture
d)
None of the above
5.
What is melanin?
a)
A protein pigment that absorbs and reflects light
b)
A protein that is waterproof and tough
c)
A cell found in the epidermis
d)
A vitamin that helps you sleep
6.
What kind of cells create melanin?
a)
Keratinocyte
b)
Melanocyte
c)
Leukocyte
d)
Erythrocyte
7.
Different tones of human skin color evolved 
a)
in response to varying levels of UV radiation in the environment
b)
Randomly and for no reason at all
8.
If a person lives in an environment with low radiation what kind of skin color would be the best adapted
a)
Darker skin tones to increase production of Vitamin D Synthesis
b)
Darker skin tones to protect DNA and Folate
c)
Lighter Skin tones to increase production of Vitamin D
d)
Lighter Skin tones to protect DNA and Folate
9.

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

a)

It relies on folate

b)

It doesn't you must use sunscreen

c)

it activates vitamin D3 production which takes care of that

d)

Forms a protective cap over the nucleus of skin cells

10.
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?
a)
35-44
b)
45-54
c)
55-64
d)
65-74
11.
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.
a)
Yes, traits are always good or bad
b)
No, It depends on where they are found
12.
What is the evolutionary benefit for dark skin near the equator?
a)
Skin cancer protection
b)
Folate Protection
c)
It has no evolutionary relationship
d)
Easier vitamin D production
13.
What is the evolutionary benefit of light skin in the northern latitude.
a)
Skin cancer protection
b)
Folate Protection
c)
It has no evolutionary relationship
d)
Easier vitamin D production
14.

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

a)

breaks it down

b)

builds it up

c)

creates it

d)

makes it stronger

15.

Folate is:

a)

a B-Vitamin

b)

used to make DNA and other genetic material

c)

important for pregnancy

d)

all of the above

16.
What is the evolutionary benefit for dark skin near the equator?
a)
Skin cancer protection
b)
Folate Protection
c)
It has no evolutionary relationship
d)
Easier vitamin D production
17.
What is the evolutionary benefit of light skin in the northern latitude.
a)
Skin cancer protection
b)
Folate Protection
c)
It has no evolutionary relationship
d)
Easier vitamin D production
18.

What do you predict would happen to the frequency of the genes that cause more of the molecules to be made in a population over time?

a)

It would increase

b)

It would increase because individuals with the genes pass it to offspring.

c)

It would decrease because they don't need those genes.

d)

It would stay the same.

19.

Which answer is more appropriate?

a)

Traits are good or bad.

b)

Traits can be harmful or hurtful depending on the environment.

c)

Traits are always helpful or hurtful, regardless of the environment.

d)

Traits are helpful or bad.

20.

The graph in Figure 2 summarizes the age at which people are diagnosed with melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. Why does protection from skin cancer not explain the strong selective pressure for dark skin in high UV ares.

a)

Because the median age is 63.

b)

Because most people get skin cancer at a young age.

c)

Because most people get skin color at an old age.

d)

Because many people get skin color at an older age after they have already had children and probably passed the gene onto them.