2006-07-06 15:46:24 · 6 answers · asked by shookey03 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Black skin contains a higher concentration of the skin pigment melanin than lighter skin. Melanin is a brown skin pigment that all skin contains, (except for the skin of albinos). It is responsive to sunlight, and thus is also responsible for the tanning effect skin has when exposed to UV rays.
Since dark colours absorb light, having more melanin in your skin provides protection from the harmful effects of the sun because the melanin absorbs the rays as opposed to the skin cells. This is an evolutionary advantage to people who originated from sunny climates like Africa or India.
2006-07-06 16:01:53 · answer #1 · answered by HoneyB 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a pigment in your Integumentary System (your skin) called Melanin. This a hereditary. If your pigment is light, you are light skinned. If it is dark, then you are dark skinned.
2006-07-06 22:56:23 · answer #2 · answered by puppetfreak 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The pigment that are inherited from the father and mother. Black babies are born white and then turn dark!
2006-07-06 22:53:04 · answer #3 · answered by nighttimewkr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The melanin in the skin.
2006-07-06 22:48:59 · answer #4 · answered by LaLa N 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The different pigment that is found in Caucasians and African- Americans.
2006-07-06 22:58:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
dirt
2006-07-06 22:52:28 · answer #6 · answered by Churchill 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋