University:
University of Cincinnati
Course:
BIOL 1081 | Biology I
Academic year:

2023
Views:

463

Pages:

1
Author:

taylr213y1i8

The Biology of Skin Color 1. Biologists classify specific traits as good or bad. For example, long tails in cats could be classified as good, and short tails as bad. True / False (circle) 2. What pigment absorbs UV light? ___melanin________ 3. Pigment cells create caps around the nucleus to: signal cell division / prevent DNA mutations / produce melanosomes 4. What organization provided the data that was used to answer her question about the amount of UV radiation on the planet? _____NASA_______ 5. This organization collected data due to concerns about: depletion / climate change terrorism / ozone 6. As you travel north from the equator, the amount of UV light intensity: increases / decreases 7. Nina Jablonski found by overlaying the maps, where UV intensity was strong, skin was: darker / lighter 8. Whenever a species undergoes selection (from evolution), variations can be identified in the genome. What gene controls the production of melanin? ______MC1R____________ 9. Biologists once believed that selection for dark skin occurred because it protected against skin cancer. Tess finds this unlikely because skin cancer: affects older individuals / is found in all populations / is fatal 10. Nina believes that instead, selection for dark skin occurred because UV light breaks down what important nutrients needed for embryonic development and sperm production? ___folate________ 11. UVB is critical for the production of what essential vitamin? ___Vitamin D_____ 12. In places where there is a low level of UV radiation, skin color is: darker / lighter 13. What disease may occur in people who have low levels of vitamin D? _____rickets________ 14. Which of the following groups is most at risk for developing this disease? a) children born to mothers with dark skin, living far from the equator b) adults with dark skin who live close to the equator c) children born to mothers with light skin who live close to the equator 15. Tribes of people living in high altitudes have a greater exposure to UV light than those at lower elevations. What skin type would you expect them to have? Explain your reasoning. They would have dark skin to protect them from UV radiation that would reduce folate. Folate is necessary for preventing birth defects.