The biology of human skin
Chapter 1
The architecture of our outer shield
View / Create
Answer
Chapter 2
The evolutionary rainbow of human pigment
View / Create
Answer
Chapter 3
A bustling microscopic wilderness
View / Create
Answer
Chapter 4
The magic of self-repair and healing
View / Create
Answer
YOUR GOAL
Master of The biology of human skin
Ch 2 · The evolutionary rainbow of human pigment
teacher We're catching all the sunlight (To make that Vitamin D!) / Protected from the bright heights (Oh, naturally!)
Fun Fact
Invisible stripes: Humans have invisible stripes called Blaschko's lines all over their bodies, which only show up under ultraviolet light.
Glossary
melanin (noun)
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.
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.
Quiz
Why did human populations migrating to northern latitudes evolve lighter skin tones?
Quiz
Which type of melanin pigment is responsible for producing red and yellow hair and skin tones?
Quiz
Why did early human populations near the equator evolve dark skin rich in eumelanin?
Quiz
Which color of melanin pigment protects skin best against damaging ultraviolet radiation?
Quiz
What crucial vitamin does human skin produce when exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation?