Biology of Human Skin Color

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

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

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

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

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

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

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

• Skin cancer protection

• Folate Protection

• Easier vitamin D production

• More than one of the above is correct

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

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-4

Melanin protects

• Vitamin D breakdown

• Folate breakdown

• DNA mutations

• Bones from breakdown

What does this image represent?

• weather conditions

• amount of ultraviolet light intensity

• skin color

• altitude

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

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

According to the video, what did the data show?

• A correlation between UV intensity and skin color variation

• Human skin color is determined by melanin in the skin

• Human skin color is determined by camoflauging in one's environment

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-1

NGSS.HS-LS4-5