Question

How does the function of melanin explain not only the variety of skin colors but susceptibility to skin cancer?

Answer 1

The function of melanin is providing variation in the skin colors. Also, provide protection from the harmful radiation that causes cancer.

Further Explanation:

Melanin is a pigment which is secreted by the melanocytes cells. They are present in the innermost layer of epidermis which is stratum basale. Melanin pigment is responsible for human hair color, skin color, and eyes color. Brown skin color has a high amount of melanin and white skin color have low level of melanin. Melanin has three different types  

• Eumelanin
• Pheomelanin
• Neuromelanin

Eumelanin is mainly responsible for the dark skin and pheomelanin is accountable for the lighter skin color. Melanin is a pigment mainly present inside the skin; it mainly blocks the Ultra-Violet radiation from causing harmful effect in the DNA and also potentially causing skin cancer. If an individual has low level of melanin, then they are more prone to Ultraviolet rays. They can easily get sun burn. Also, they are more prone to cancer.

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Answer Details:

Grade: High School

Subject: Health

Topic: Melanin pigment

Keywords:

Melanin pigment, eumelanin, pheomelanin, skin, DNA, cancer, ultra-violet rays, neuromelanin, white, dark, brown, eyes, skin, hair, color, pigment.

Answer 2

The lack of melanin tends to correlate with a lighter skin color. However, it also correlates with a higher susceptibility to receiving a sunburn. The more often a person burns, the more likely it is that a person will be susceptible to skin cancers later on in life.