Question:
What determines the colour of the skin?
What determines the colour of the skin?
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Skin pigmentation is governed by Melanin (synthesized in melanocytes), which balances photoprotection against skin cancer/folate breakdown with the requirement of Vitamin D synthesis.
Updated On: Sep 4, 2026
- Amount of Zinc in the skin
- Amount of cholesterol in the skin
- Amount of Vitamin A in the skin
- Amount of Melanin in the skin
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Concept:
Human skin pigmentation is a polygenic adaptive trait that shows clinal geographic variation across human populations.
Physical anthropologists study skin pigmentation as an evolutionary adaptation driven by the selective pressures of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
This question tests the primary biochemical determinant responsible for variation in human skin color.
Step 1: Synthesis of Melanin Pigment:
Melanin is a complex pigment synthesized inside specialized epidermal cells called melanocytes through the enzymatic oxidation of the amino acid tyrosine by tyrosinase.
Melanin occurs in two primary chemical forms:
- Eumelanin: Imparts dark brown and black pigmentation.
- Pheomelanin: Imparts red and yellow pigmentation.
Step 2: Role in Skin Color Determination:
The total amount, particle size, and distribution pattern of melanin granules within keratinocytes in the epidermis primarily determine skin darkness or lightness.
Melanin functions as a natural sunscreen by absorbing and dissipating harmful UV rays, protecting against cutaneous DNA damage and folate photolysis in high UV zones.
Elements like zinc, cholesterol, and vitamin A play metabolic roles in the dermis and epidermis but do not serve as color-determining pigments.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The amount of melanin present in the skin is the primary determinant of skin color.
Therefore, Option (D) is the correct answer.
Human skin pigmentation is a polygenic adaptive trait that shows clinal geographic variation across human populations.
Physical anthropologists study skin pigmentation as an evolutionary adaptation driven by the selective pressures of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
This question tests the primary biochemical determinant responsible for variation in human skin color.
Step 1: Synthesis of Melanin Pigment:
Melanin is a complex pigment synthesized inside specialized epidermal cells called melanocytes through the enzymatic oxidation of the amino acid tyrosine by tyrosinase.
Melanin occurs in two primary chemical forms:
- Eumelanin: Imparts dark brown and black pigmentation.
- Pheomelanin: Imparts red and yellow pigmentation.
Step 2: Role in Skin Color Determination:
The total amount, particle size, and distribution pattern of melanin granules within keratinocytes in the epidermis primarily determine skin darkness or lightness.
Melanin functions as a natural sunscreen by absorbing and dissipating harmful UV rays, protecting against cutaneous DNA damage and folate photolysis in high UV zones.
Elements like zinc, cholesterol, and vitamin A play metabolic roles in the dermis and epidermis but do not serve as color-determining pigments.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The amount of melanin present in the skin is the primary determinant of skin color.
Therefore, Option (D) is the correct answer.
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