What was the initial reason for diversity in skin color?

Theory held that darker skin had evolved in order to afford early humans—who had recently lost the cover of fur—a protection against skin cancer under the tropical sun.

Why did our skin get lighter?

The body synthesizes vitamin D from sunlight, which helps it absorb calcium. Females evolved to have lighter skin so their bodies absorb more calcium. The social significance of differences in skin color has varied across cultures and over time, as demonstrated with regard to social status and discrimination.

How did different skin colors evolve?

Pigmentation, (skin color), in humans has evolved under selection pressure from the duration and intensity of sunlight. Ancestral populations near the equator were selected for dark skin, while those living in higher northern latitudes were selected for lighter skin.

What environmental factors influence skin color?

Factors such as sunlight, UV light from sunlamps, and X rays affect skin color by rapidly darkening existing melanin, and by stimulating melanocytes to produce more pigment. The dermal blood supply affects skin color.

Which of the following regulates the color of the skin?

Melanin is responsible for skin color and is also responsible for hair and eye color too.

What does having fair skin mean?

adjective. having pale skin; pale-complexioned.

How do these data support the hypothesis that the evolution of lighter skin colors was driven by selection for vitamin D production?

19. How do these data support the hypothesis that the evolution of lighter skin colors was driven by selection for vitamin D production? Light-skinned individuals are better able to synthesize sufficient vitamin D, especially at higher latitudes. That means that light skin increases fitness away from the equator.

What is skin color the result of?

Skin color is determined mainly by the amount and distribution of melanin, a pigmented polymer produced by melanocytes. Hyperpigmentation is almost always the result of either production of too much melanin or abnormal distribution of pigment, although heavy metals or drug metabolites can change skin color.

What is considered light skin?

Definition of light-skinned 1 : having a light olive to medium brown complexion especially : being a Black, Latinx, Indigenous, mixed-race, or other person of color with such a complexion …

Which of the following are known to influence skin color?

The color of skin is influenced by a number of pigments, including melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Recall that melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found scattered throughout the stratum basale of the epidermis.