Eli5 Is Melanin production based on Genetics or on Geographical area?
In: Biology
It’s a mix of both. Genetics will determine what your baseline and maximum possible skin melanin content is. Exposure to UV light will adjust the amount within those theoretical limits.
Those in places with hot sunny environments like Africa have a higher minimum and maximum melanin level, as natural selection keeps it high. While those population that’s migrated to a more temperate climate naturally selected for less. This is because in the sunny environment, the natural protection from UV radiation and sunburn that would make survival harder if not outright impossible due to sun poisoning (yes that’s a thing).
Whereas people in more cloudy temperate climates didn’t need darker skin and the lighter skin tone allows them to absorb more sunlight into their body which helps primarily create vitamin D.
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