Question

A neighbor is walking her dog to the park during her lunch break on a beautiful sunny day. Explain how her skin is working to protect her from ultraviolet radiation due to intense sun exposure. Be sure to discuss the specific structures and substances involved in this protection.

Answer 1

Her skin is working to protect her because of her sweat glands, which are producing sweat as a mechanism to cool your body during the intense heat. Also, there are melanocytes in your skin which produce melanin, which give your skin its pigmentation, and this also helps protect from the sun. In addition, if you apply sunscreen with a SPF higher than 15, that is pretty healthy protection from the sun as well, even though it isn't a natural defense.