Polygenic Traits and Skin Color Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary factor determining skin color through melanin production?

Natural selection in colder climates
The individual's diet
The exposure to water
The number of melanin-specific genes (correct)

How does melanin benefit individuals living in high UV radiation areas?

Protects the skin from UV damage (correct)
Enhances calcium absorption directly
Promotes muscle growth
Increases Vitamin D production

What is a consequence of insufficient UV radiation exposure?

Enhanced calcium absorption
Increased melanin production
Vitamin D deficiency leading to rickets (correct)
Improved skin resilience

Why do people living closer to the equator typically have darker skin?

<p>Higher solar radiation leading to natural selection (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which preventive measure should individuals consider based on their skin pigmentation?

<p>Use less sunscreen in low UV environments (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Skin color and UV radiation

Skin color is influenced by melanin production, which protects from UV radiation, and the amount of UV radiation received varies geographically.

Melanin production

Melanin, a pigment, is produced additively by multiple genes, resulting in different skin colors.

Vitamin D and UV radiation

UV radiation is needed to produce Vitamin D, which is essential for calcium absorption and preventing bone problems.

Skin color and location

People living closer to the equator tend to have darker skin due to higher UV exposure, a result of natural selection.

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Polygenic traits and distribution

A polygenic trait's phenotypes distribute as a bell curve.

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Study Notes

Polygenic Traits and Skin Color

Polygenic traits, when graphed, result in a bell curve distribution of phenotypes.
Melanin, specifically eumelanin, is a pigment produced additively by three genes, determining skin color.

UV Radiation and Melanin

Skin color is linked to UV radiation levels. Regions with higher UV exposure tend to have darker skin.
Melanin protects individuals from damaging UV rays.

Vitamin D and Skin Color

Some UV radiation is needed for Vitamin D production.
Vitamin D aids in calcium absorption, preventing diseases like rickets.

Skin Color and Geography

Skin color tends to be darker closer to the equator due to higher UV exposure.
This is a result of natural selection.

Skin Color and Awareness

Individuals should adjust their sun protection based on their skin tone and location's UV exposure.

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Description

Test your knowledge on polygenic traits, particularly how they influence skin color and its relation to UV radiation. Explore the scientific understanding of melanin production, Vitamin D, and the geographical distribution of skin tones. This quiz covers essential concepts surrounding genetics and environmental factors affecting human pigmentation.