What is the BIOLOGICAL function to skin tanning?

Question

What about people with natural dark complexions (more melanine) who tan?

Answer 1

Living among the basal cells in the malpighian layer is another type of cell called a melanocyte. Melanocytes produce melanin, which is a pigment that is the source of tanning. The melanocytes are actually where a tan comes from. Here is what the Encyclopedia Britannica has to say about melanocytes:

"The appearance of the skin is partly due to the reddish pigment in the blood of the superficial vessels. In the main, however, it is determined by melanin, a pigment manufactured by dendritic cells called melanocytes, found among the basal cells of the epidermis. Their numbers in any one region of the body, which range from about 1,000 to more than 2,000 per square millimetre, are roughly the same within and between races; the blondest whites have as many as the darkest blacks. Colour differences are due solely to the amount of melanin produced and the nature of the pigment granules. When the skin becomes tanned on exposure to sunlight, the melanocytes do not increase in number, only in activity." ("Integumentary Systems, Pigmentation", Britannica CD. Version 97. Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., 1997.)
Not only do melanocytes produce a tan, they are also responsible for the form of cancer called melanoma. Melanoma is caused by UV radiation damage to melanocytes. Repeated exposure to UV can cause cancerous mutations.

Answer 2

Melanin-- the dark pigment that causes tanning, protects the skin from sunburn. Get a "base tan" and you're far less likely to get sunburned.

Answer 3

protection from the harmful radiation of the sun, production of D vitamin

Answer 4

Protection from the sun

Answer 5

to get vitiman d and attract mates








muha










muhabuha











muhahahahahahahbuhahahahahahah












ok im done now

Answer 6

Cancer?