A person with a darker complexion is more protected from uv rays comparwd to a person with fair complexion
Answer (1)
You're touching on an interesting aspect of human biology and how skin color affects protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Melanin and Skin Color: The primary determinant of skin color is melanin, a pigment produced by cells called melanocytes. There are two main types of melanin: eumelanin (which is brown or black) and pheomelanin (which is red or yellow). Individuals with darker skin generally have higher levels of eumelanin.Protection Against UV Radiation: Melanin serves as a natural defense against UV radiation. It acts by absorbing and dispersing UV rays, which helps prevent DNA damage in skin cells that can lead to skin cancer. Thus, higher levels of eumelanin in darker skin provide a greater degree of protection against the harmful effects of UV radiation compared to lighter skin, which contains less eumelanin.Biological Implications: Due to this increased level of protection, individuals with darker skin have a lower risk of developing skin cancers, such as melanoma, compared to individuals with lighter skin. However, it is important to note that while the risk is lower, it is not zero; people of all skin tones can develop skin cancer and should take appropriate precautions, such as using sunscreen and wearing protective clothing.Vitamin D Synthesis: There is a trade-off, however. While darker skin offers better protection against UV rays, it can also reduce the skin's ability to synthesize vitamin D from sunlight. As a result, individuals with darker complexions living in regions with low UV exposure might require dietary supplements to maintain adequate vitamin D levels.Evolutionary Perspective: The variation in skin color among humans is believed to be an evolutionary adaptation. Populations in regions with intense sunlight (such as near the equator) evolved to have darker skin to protect against UV radiation, whereas populations in regions with less sunlight evolved to have lighter skin to maximize vitamin D synthesis.While a darker complexion provides more natural protection against UV rays due to higher melanin content, it is still important for everyone to practice sun safety.
