TED-ED: The science of skin color - Angela Koine Flynn

The video explores how skin color varies due to melanin, a pigment produced by melanocytes. It explains the evolutionary process that led to diverse skin tones, driven by sun exposure and migration. Melanin protects against UV damage, while lighter skin tones evolved to absorb more UV for vitamin D production. This adaptation helped humans survive in different environments, leading to a wide range of skin colors today.

What are the two basic forms of melanin that determine skin and hair color?

• Eumelanin and pheomelanin

• Melanocytes and keratin

• Carotene and hemoglobin

• Chlorophyll and anthocyanin

How did ancient humans protect themselves from UV damage before the invention of sunscreen?

• Using natural oils and herbs

• By living in shaded areas

• Through the production of melanin

• By wearing protective clothing

What evolutionary advantage did darker skin provide to early humans living near the equator?

• Enhanced ability to produce vitamin D

• Protection against melanoma

• Increased resistance to cold temperatures

• Better camouflage in the environment

Why did lighter skin tones become more prevalent in populations that migrated northward?

• To blend in with the snowy environment

• To better absorb UV light for vitamin D production

• To reduce the risk of sunburn

• To increase body temperature in colder climates

What is the primary reason for the diversity of skin colors around the world today?

• Genetic mutations unrelated to environment

• Adaptation to varying levels of sunlight

• Cultural preferences and practices

• Random distribution of melanin