The Science of Skin Color
Explore the biological factors determining human skin color, including melanin, melanocytes, and genetic influences, for Grade 10 Science.
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The Science of Skin Color
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Use complete sentences for short answer questions.
1. What is the primary pigment responsible for human skin color?
Hemoglobin
Carotene
Melanin
Bilirubin
2. Which type of cell produces melanin?
Keratinocytes
Melanocytes
Fibroblasts
Adipocytes
3. The two main types of melanin are eumelanin, which produces brown and black pigments, and , which produces red and yellow pigments.
4. Exposure to stimulates melanocytes to produce more melanin, leading to tanning.
5. Explain how genetic factors influence variations in human skin color.
6. Individuals with albinism produce an excess amount of melanin.
True
False
7. The amount of melanin in skin primarily determines its ability to absorb UV radiation.
True
False
8. Observe the image below, which depicts melanin production as a result of tanning. Briefly describe the biological process that leads to this visible change in skin color.
