Skin Color
3 things determine skin color - correct answer 1. Melanin 2. Carotene
3. Hemoglobin
Melanin - correct answer -yellow, brown, or black pigments
-concentrated melanin - moles and freckles
-produced by melanocytes (present in epidermis - stratum basale)
-> Role of Melanin? - correct answer - When skin is exposed to sunlight, melanocytes produce more melanin pigment, resulting in tanning.
- The stratum basale cells phagocytize (eat) the pigment, and as it accumulates within them, the melanin
forms a protective pigment umbrella over the superficial (sunny) side of their nuclei that shields their genetic material from damaging effects of ultraviolet.
Carotene - correct answer -orange-yellow pigment found in some vegetables that deposits itself in our skin (eating too many carrots will turn your skin orange!)
-carotene deposits in the stratum corneum and subcutaneous tissue
Hemoglobin - correct answer -red coloring from blood cells in dermis capillaries
-oxygen content determines extent of red coloring --> light red = oxygenated (arteries)
--> dark red = deoxygenated (remove) (veins)
External stimuli may cause skin color alternations - correct answer - Erythema
- Pallor
- Jaundice
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