Evolution of Skin Color-The Conventional Explanation Until fairly recently, the

Question

Evolution of Skin Color-The Conventional Explanation Until fairly recently, the leading explanation for the variation in skin colors in indigenous populations around the world was that darker skin evolved to protect against the harmful effects o UV light. Propose an explanation for how skin cancer risk might have selected for darker skin color in early hominins who lived near the equator. Hint: address both conditions of natural selection. 1. . How does the skin cancer explanation account for the relationship between latitude and skin color seen in Figure 2? fque a to ohoun that

Explanation / Answer

1. According to Mel Greaves (professor of cancer research Institute in London) deaths from skin cancer may have provided with enough selective pressure to drive the evolution of dark skin pigments in early hominids who lived near the equator. People with black skin are 70% less prone to develop the disease, skin cancer.

Dark skin has more melanin than the white skin. Melanin can absorb the UV radiation and save black skin from cancer formation.

2. According to the latitude the intensity of sunlight may vary. Intensity of sunlight in equator is maximum and in poles are minimum. So, latitude change can change the pigmentation pattern of skin. In higher latitude, intensity of light become lower. So skin color tends to become white. White skin are more prone to skin cancer due to UV radiation.

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