Why doesn't our skin tone gradually change to another color from top to bottom? (And I'm not including tanning in this question)
2006-10-02 10:28:22 · 2 answers · asked by terisia 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Our skin has some basic level of cells called melanocytes. These cells produce melatonin. Depending on how much (and what kind) of melanocytes we have, human skin is white, black,... Sun can induce melanocytes to produce more melanin and our skin gets darker.
So, our skin has melanocytes all over, everywhere in same quantity (except palms and feet - there are no melanocytes). Basically your question is why aren't melanocytes gradually placed in skin? Well, by evolution theory, creatures that adapt, survive. Obviously our environment didn't have such gradual colors so our skin didn't have to develop gradual melanocytes level. Some animals went so far in adapting their skin to environment that they can produce any color in their skin almost instantly (like octopus, chameleon,...). Their advantage (one of them) is skin. Our evolution advantage is developed brain.
2006-10-02 10:58:50 · answer #1 · answered by dragonfly140 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our skin is a certain color because of the amount of melanin in our skin. The darker you are the more melanin you have. People without Melanin are albinos
2006-10-02 18:16:17 · answer #2 · answered by michelle r 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋