Why do we have white, black, brown skin etc but not blue, green or purple skin?

Answer 1

Good question!

Nature has evolved molecules that pigment various parts of organisms. Plants and flowers are the obvious case in point, but in humans, skin pigments, and those in the iris (giving us blue, green brown etc. eyes) have also evolved.

It is QUITE POSSIBLE that at some point in the past, alternative pigmentation DID evolve in humans, and the only thing we CAN say with any certainty, is that if it did, if was later eradicated from the gene pool, and does not ersist any longer.

Most notably, the only ANIMALS that have evolved the colours you mention have been birds, where the ability to fly away rather than the need to camoflage and blend in is the preferred means of evading redators. So bright colours in these cases are NOT dangerous to the organism (bird) displaying them.

It is true that some other apes (primates) DO display bright colours. Some have bright red backsides, and in some cases, bright blue pigment is evident on parts of the bodies.

So as a final thought: in a world where bright colouring is no longer likely to be life endangering to humans, how long will it be before a random genetic mutation causes pigmentation other than the standard tan and browns that we are used to to evolve?!

Answer 2

The melanin that our skin produces is brown and the dark brown or pale skin tones are present as a result of the amount of pigment. Everyone has the exact same pigmentation and the color only depends on how much of the pigment is secreted.

Answer 3

God didn't make us that way. I have seen black skin so dark it has had a purplish tint to it, blue is when you are supper cold, purple, blue and green happen when people of all color get bruised. Other then that I don't know good question.
I have known people who eat to many carrots turn orange, and my sister is allergies to red dye so when she consumed to much she literally started turning red the whites of her eyes everything. Dr told her to eliminate all red dye from her diet make ups and toothpaste. Just a side note

Answer 4

Our skin is different colors based on where our ancestors lived. If they lived in the hottest places, their skin would be dark to deal with the heat. If they lived in the cold, they would have light skin. It doesn't make sense to have blue, green or purple skin.

Answer 5

"White," brown or black skin is due to varying amounts of the pigment melanin. Green would be produced by chlorophyll -- and unless you are a plant, you don't have any of that in your skin.

Answer 6

There are only three colour pigments.
carotine: Yellow
Melanine: Black
Hemoglobine: Red

These form the colours present in the human skins. E.g.: Chinese have more carotine.

So there can't be people with colours you need, coz those cant be made by combining the present ones.

Answer 7

To show the contrast. . . . I have a white skin, chestnut hair and green eyes. . .

White, black, yellow. . . . = Skin

Green, blue, hazel. . . . = Eyes

And so on. . . . .

Melanin pigment is responsible for our colours, it works that way, so we look the way we look!

Evolutionary biology could give you a thorough explanation :-))

Answer 8

There is blackish blue colour.It is due to pigmentation and Sun pigmentation.In African countries which are hot skin colour is black.Climate affect skin tan.

Answer 9

We have the colors and variations of the colors we have because those are what occur naturally in the body. The colors of blue, red, etc. are colors that have to be created or made. We have neutral or natural colored pigmentations as opposed to primary or any other type of hue.

Answer 10

It's best for absorbing sun, or protecting against strong sunlight. Birds/animals with coloured skin have evolved it for either mating, camouflage or some other reason that gives them an advantage in the environment they live in.