Lab6_Human_Skin_Color_Variation

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Dec 6, 2023

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Lab 6: Human Skin Color Variation A close-up photograph of human skin Learning Objectives  Describe the cellular process that produces skin color.  Evaluate the hypothesis that human skin color tones differ in relation to levels of ultraviolet radiation exposure.  Describe the positive and negative selective factors that account for differences in human skin colors. Supplies Needed ● Internet access ● Worksheet (provided) Readings ● Rivera, Michael B.C. 2019.“Chapter 13: Race and Human Variation” In Explorations: An Open Invitation to Biological Anthropology, edited by Beth Shook, Katie Nelson, Kelsie Aguilera, and Lara Braff. Arlington, VA: American Anthropological Association. http://explorations.americananthro.org/ ● Fitzpatrick, Leslie E. 2019. Chapter 14: Human Variation: An Adaptive Significance Approach. In Explorations: An Open Invitation to Biological Anthropology, edited by Beth Shook, Katie Nelson, Kelsie Aguilera, and Lara Braff. Arlington, VA: American Anthropological Association. http://explorations.americananthro.org/ Modified from Explorations Lab and Activities Manual http://explorations.americananthro.org/

Introduction The purpose of this lab is to understand the cellular process that produces skin color and explore the evolution of skin color variation. By doing so, you will be able to question ideas about the alleged biological basis of race. In this activity, you watch two videos produced by Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Biointeractive to learn about the biology of human skin color and the evolution of skin color variation. For Further Exploration ● American Anthropological Association. Understanding Race Project . ● Jablonski, Nina G. 2012. Living Color: The Biological and Social Meaning of Skin Color . Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. ● Jablonski, Nina G. 2004. “The Evolution of Human Skin and Skin Color.” Annual Review of Anthropology 33 (2004): 585–623. References Fitzpatrick, Leslie E. 2019. Chapter 14: Human Variation: An Adaptive Significance Approach. In Explorations: An Open Invitation to Biological Anthropology, edited by Beth Shook, Katie Nelson, Kelsie Aguilera, and Lara Braff. Arlington, VA: American Anthropological Association. http://explorations.americananthro.org/ Rivera, Michael B.C. 2019.“Chapter 13: Race and Human Variation” In Explorations: An Open Invitation to Biological Anthropology, edited by Beth Shook, Katie Nelson, Kelsie Aguilera, and Lara Braff. Arlington, VA: American Anthropological Association. http://explorations.americananthro.org/ HHMI Biointeractive. The Biology of Skin Color . Narrated by Nina Joblanski. Chevy Chase, MD, HHMI Biointeractive, 2020. Video, 18:58. HHMI Biointeractive. How we Get our Skin Color. Narrated by Nina Joblanski. Chevy Chase, MD, HHMI Biointeractive, 2015. Video, 3:32. Image Attributions Human skin close-up by Montavius Howard (TongCreator) , from Pixabay is in the public domain. Modified from Explorations Lab and Activities Manual http://explorations.americananthro.org/

Human Skin Color Variation Worksheet Step One: Exploring the Biology of Skin Color and Understanding the Evolutionary Pressures of Skin Color Watch the two videos How We Get Our Skin Color and The Biology of Skin Color produced by HHMI BioInteractive. The first video describes how skin pigment is generated by skin cells as protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The second film explores the hypothesis that different tones of skin color in humans arose as adaptations to the intensity of ultraviolet radiation in different parts of the world. After watching the videos, answer the following questions. 1. List the three layers of skin and indicate which layer of skin gives humans their skin color. 2. Briefly describe the functions of keratinoctyes and melanocytes. 3. Describe the cellular process that produces skin color. Be sure to include the following terms: malanosome, melanin, tyrosine, keratinocytes 4. How does melanin protect the cells from UV radiation? 5. What are the risks of UV radiation? 6. Briefly state what determines an individual's baseline skin color and how much it can tan. 7. What color skin (excluding hands, feet and face) do chimpanzees have under their fur? 8. What type of melanin do lightly pigmented people have? 9. What type of melanin do more darkly pigmented people have? 10. What other body parts does melanin color? What does melanin do for other species? 11. What kind of raw data helped Dr. Nina Jablonski find the answer to her questions about the relationship between UV radiation and human skin pigmentation? 12. In general terms, how is UV radiation intensity distributed throughout the world? 13. How do scientists measure skin color? 14. Why are folate and vitamin D important nutrients? Modified from Explorations Lab and Activities Manual http://explorations.americananthro.org/

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15. Describe the selective pressures for the production of darkly pigmented skin in areas with high UV radiation intensity. 16. Describe the selective pressures for the production of lightly pigmented skin in areas with low UV radiation intensity. 17. Describe the evolutionary interplay between folate and vitamin D. 18. What do scientists infer from the lack of variation in the MC1R gene among African populations? 19. Why are light skinned people at greater risk for skin cancer than dark skinned people? 20. Why might dark skinned people living in high latitude environments need to take a vitamin D supplement? (Note: please always consult your doctor before starting any supplement regimen). Step Two: Bringing it all Together: Racism and Skin Color Read the following statement about race and racism from the American Association of Physical (Biological) Anthropology. Next, read the following news article from Voice of America about skin color and racism and discrimination on a global level. Then, complete the following writing task: As you have learned in your study of human variation, most human traits, including skin color, are non-concordant. That is, skin color is inherited independently of other genetically controlled traits. Imagine that you are talking with a friend who knows very little about this topic. In two paragraphs, summarize in your own words what you have learned in this activity. Explain to your friend how skin color is one piece of evidence for the biological fallacy of race. Describe to them how skin pigment is produced and why it varies between people throughout the world. Discuss with your friend the dangers of when people believe that race is a real and legitimate way to categorize people and that phenotypical differences such as skin color are related to something deeper in one’s biology. Share your thoughts about the role of education to fight the social construction of race that has disproportionately disadvantaged people with darker skin tones and provided unearned advantages for those with light skin tones. Modified from Explorations Lab and Activities Manual http://explorations.americananthro.org/

Lab6_Human_Skin_Color_Variation

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