If its true then wouldn't it be a disadvantage to dark-skinned people because they live in sunny areas and hence more prone to heat stroke?
2006-09-05 08:20:58 · 12 answers · asked by Rustic 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
people with dark skin have dark skin have dark skin because their skin contains more of the pigmentation known as melanin. Melanin absorbs the light and UV rays from the sun and draws them away from the cells. this is not a disadvantage.; they are less prone to skin cancer, and as far as heat stroke, the increase in temp is very insignificant
2006-09-05 08:32:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. This is true. The reason why you see red is because the red substance reflects the red spectrum. Blue is reflecting the blue. Black doesn't reflect anything. Skin is more complicated. Dark skinned people have more melanin which absorbs the light. Light skinned people don't have the same defense because they don't have as much melanin. Hence light skinned people are more prone to skin cancers that are sun-related.
2006-09-05 08:29:52 · answer #2 · answered by nursingwitch 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dark color does absorb light and infrared energy better than light colors. Your question, though, has more to do with the adaptation of species to a climate. The darker pigments in the skin actually create protection.
2006-09-05 08:25:02 · answer #3 · answered by odu83 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, in addition to absorbing light better, dark colors also radiate heat better. The same is true of shiny vs. flat colors, btw.
How all this relates to skin color is left as a mental excercise for the interested reader.
2006-09-05 08:28:43 · answer #4 · answered by DidacticRogue 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i feel the logic doesnt work for the skin.
coz dark skin contains more melanin which protects the body from UV rays more. So white skinned people have more prone to heat stroke.
2006-09-05 08:29:28 · answer #5 · answered by sris 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes and what odu83 says is right about the darker pigmentation of the skin creating protection from the sun.
2006-09-05 08:30:55 · answer #6 · answered by mar 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pretty much, I think you answered your own question. I'm not sure though if it would work with people. I too have always thought that people with dark skins (per say BLACK people) would be hotter (temp. wise) than light skin folks.
2006-09-05 08:28:55 · answer #7 · answered by zermenoj 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes, dark colors absorb light (and heat) better than light colors
2006-09-05 08:25:30 · answer #8 · answered by William S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is true measure the temperature difference
2006-09-05 08:26:18 · answer #9 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
thats what i thought as well but it reduces the chance of skin cancer.
2006-09-05 08:48:48 · answer #10 · answered by z 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋