Question

Human populations in low-UV environments tend to have lighter skin tones. One explanation is that the selective pressure for dark skin decreases as UV intensity decreases. At the same time, there is selection for lighter skin to absorb more UV radiation, which is needed for vitamin D production. What evidence supports the vitamin D hypothesis for the evolution of lighter skin tones?
a. In general, people with lighter skin tend to be at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency.b. Red hair and light skin are typical of people of northern European descent.c. Some indigenous peoples living at high latitudes have darker skin, but they tend to eat foods rich in vitamin D.d. People with lighter skin cannot synthesize enough vitamin D in high-UV environments, such as equatorial Africa.

Answer 1

Answer: Option C

Explanation:

The theory states that the people with the lighter skin tones have the ability to produce more Vitamin D in presence of sunlight. The less the skin deflect UVB, the skin can produce more VItamin D.

This is the reason inspite of being at the higher latitude region some indigenous people having darker skin tone needs to have vitamin D as supplements or eat foods rich in VItamin D.

hence, the correct answer is option C