The architecture of our outer shield
The evolutionary rainbow of human pigment
A bustling microscopic wilderness
The magic of self-repair and healing
YOUR GOAL
Master of The biology of human skin
artiteacher Evolution of skin pigmentation
We're catching all the sunlight (To make that Vitamin D!) / Protected from the bright heights (Oh, naturally!)
artiteacher Lighter skin evolved in northern latitudes to maximize vitamin D production from weak sunlight.
artiteacher Skin pigmentation evolved near the equator to protect critical nutrients from ultraviolet rays.
artiteacher Match skin tones to melanin levels to discover how our bodies get their unique colors.
Invisible stripes: Humans have invisible stripes called Blaschko's lines all over their bodies, which only show up under ultraviolet light.
A natural pigment that gives color to the skin, hair, and eyes of humans and other animals. In the late 1990s, anthropologist Nina Jablonski linked global melanin variations to regional ultraviolet radiation levels.
Why did human populations migrating to northern latitudes evolve lighter skin tones?
Which type of melanin pigment is responsible for producing red and yellow hair and skin tones?
Why did early human populations near the equator evolve dark skin rich in eumelanin?
Which color of melanin pigment protects skin best against damaging ultraviolet radiation?
What crucial vitamin does human skin produce when exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation?