What is the reason of dark skin of people living in equatorial regions?

sun on equator


The color of our bodies becoming darker in equatorial regions is an evolutionary adaptation to the strong sunlight found in those areas. Darker skin has more melanin, a pigment that provides protection against harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

 

When UV radiation reaches the skin, it can damage DNA and increase the risk of skin cancer. Melanin acts as a natural sunscreen by absorbing and dispersing UV radiation, preventing it from penetrating deep into the skin. This helps to reduce the harmful effects of UV radiation and protects the skin's underlying layers.

 

In equatorial regions, where sunlight is intense year-round, there is a higher prevalence of UV radiation. Therefore, populations living in these areas have evolved to produce more melanin in their skin, resulting in darker pigmentation. This increased melanin provides better protection against strong sunlight and reduces the risk of sunburn, skin damage, and skin cancer.

 

It's important to note that skin color is a complex trait influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and evolutionary factors. The variation in human skin color across different regions is a result of adaptation to the specific climates and levels of UV radiation in those areas.


- Tanmay Bhati 

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