Chapter 14, Problem 5DAA

Summary Introduction

To explain: How skin color of human populations correlate with the amount of UV radiation incident in their native regions.

Introduction: Different parts of the earth have variable exposure to UV radiations. The reflectance index is a measure of amount of light energy especially UV radiations absorbed by body per area unit. Melanosomes in skin synthesize melanin pigment and account for the human skin color. More melanin pigment provides protection against UV radiations and reflects less light.