The science of skin color - Angela Koine Flynn
TED-Ed・4 minutes read
Skin color variations are due to melanin, with eumelanin creating brown tones and pheomelanin leading to reddish hues like freckles and red hair. Evolutionary changes in skin color were driven by the need for protection from UV rays, with melanin acting as a natural sunscreen to shield against DNA damage and melanoma, leading to varying skin tones based on migration and environmental factors.
Insights
- Melanin, produced by melanocytes in the skin, determines skin color with eumelanin creating brown tones and pheomelanin leading to reddish hues.
- Evolutionary changes in skin color were influenced by the need for protection from UV rays, leading to darker skin in sunnier regions to shield against DNA damage and melanoma, and lighter skin in less sunny areas to aid in vitamin D production and prevent conditions like rickets.
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Recent questions
Why do people have different skin colors?
People have different skin colors due to melanin, a pigment produced by melanocytes in the skin. Eumelanin creates brown tones, while pheomelanin leads to reddish hues like freckles and red hair.
How does melanin protect the skin?
Melanin acts as a natural sunscreen by darkening the skin to shield against DNA damage and melanoma caused by the Sun's UV rays.
What drove evolutionary changes in skin color?
Evolutionary changes in skin color were driven by the need for protection from the Sun's UV rays. Migration of humans to different latitudes led to varying skin tones based on the level of sun exposure.
Why do people in sunnier regions have darker skin?
People in sunnier regions have darker skin to protect against melanoma and DNA damage caused by the Sun's UV rays. The higher levels of melanin act as a natural sunscreen.
Why do people in less sunny areas have lighter skin?
People in less sunny areas have lighter skin to aid in vitamin D production. Lighter skin allows for better absorption of sunlight to prevent conditions like rickets.
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Summary
00:00
Evolution of Skin Color for Sun Protection
- Skin color varies due to melanin, a pigment produced by melanocytes in the skin, with eumelanin creating brown tones and pheomelanin leading to reddish hues like freckles and red hair.
- Evolutionary changes in skin color were driven by the need for protection from the Sun's UV rays, with melanin acting as a natural sunscreen by darkening the skin to shield against DNA damage and melanoma.
- Migration of humans to different latitudes led to varying skin tones, with darker skin in sunnier regions to protect against melanoma and lighter skin in less sunny areas to aid in vitamin D production and prevent conditions like rickets.
