Which of the following statements accurately describes melanin's function?

a. The more melanin an individual has in his or her skin cells, the more likely he or she is to get mutations in DNA.

b. Melanin is a molecule that distinguishes humans from their primate relatives.

c. Everyone has the same type of melanin, but the amount varies from person to person.

d. Lighter skin has less of the dark-brown eumelanin that protects cells from UV damage.

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Biology

30 December, 21:20

Which of the following statements accurately describes melanin's function?

a. The more melanin an individual has in his or her skin cells, the more likely he or she is to get mutations in DNA.

b. Melanin is a molecule that distinguishes humans from their primate relatives.

c. Everyone has the same type of melanin, but the amount varies from person to person.

d. Lighter skin has less of the dark-brown eumelanin that protects cells from UV damage.

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Answers (1)

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Woods · Answer 1

The answer is; C

Melanin protein (and melanocytes) is similar in all human populations. What differs between populations of different geographies is the density of melanin in their bodies. The higher the exposure of a population to the sun's UV rays, over many years, their melanin density spikes. This is because melanin production is an adaption in the protection of DNA from UV damage.