The Biology of Skin Color — HHMI BioInteractive Video

Penn State University anthropologist Dr. Nina Jablonski explains how different shades of skin color arose as adaptations to the intensity of ultraviolet radiation in different parts of the world.

This film is appropriate for science classes from middle school to college. The content connects to key concepts in biology, human biogeography, genetics, and anatomy and physiology. Chemistry and biochemistry classes will appreciate the focus on the effects of UV radiation on DNA, folate degradation, and vitamin D synthesis.

[macnchillidogs]

lesson of the day: stop being racist, skin color doesn't make you superior, it just adapts you to the environment where u live.

[solomonjohnson]

"To eradicate racism, is not for us to become color blind but to see the beauty of a colorful World" n this is the TRUTH

[coddity]

special edition: like if ur here cos of QUARANTINE bio class

[Lordymimi]

Skin color is a product of our evolution, and should never have been judged as something good or bad.

[thomism]

“We are one under the sun”. This summarising phrase sums up your message concisely and precisely. Thank you ❤️💐

[DYC.Antinorm]

Nobody:

Half the people in the comment section: iM hErE bEcAuSe Of BiO cLaSs

[Jack-zihq]

When you come for biology, but actually really enjoy the subject matter and have a fun time learning.

[HeavymetalHylian]

I need the reflectometer so I can finally buy the right foundation.

[nickelblock]

this video seems to be very popular among bio teachers, huh? thats why im here after all

[isabelladiaz]

girl u ate with that "we are one under the sun", i feel inspired

[khaiahmann]

I was just watching this off of pure interest. 😂. Everyone else is here for class

[giygas]

Everyone seems to be here for bio, but where's my anthropology gang?

[LaVozDeLaTortuga]

I'm a dietitian and a teacher at a university, and this video was INCREDIBLY useful to understand the relation between our ancestors, where they lived, our skine tone, where we live, and our diet with the production of vitamin D. Thank you!

[errantball]

Bioclass is lucky they're even learning this. Good luck in the future world! Make it a better place

[glentorn]

They should show this film in schools all over the world.

[Arthur-Silva]

I’m not here because of bio class. I just smoked a blunt and now I’m ready to go down a rabbit hole 🕳

[rainbowcupcakeunicornsprinkle]

17:03, 13:42 and 11:42 Has the answers for ur bio hw questions. Ur welcome :)

[KaikalaMoon]

Still relevant. I enjoyed reading the comments from mostly bio students with the exception of a few jokesters who were actually funny. This needs a reboot. Comprehensive and necessary right now.

[kasnarfburns]

I'm sometimes struck by the response I get from some of my peers when I ask them "Why do you think people with darker skins tend to be located in regions near the equator?" I recall asking one friend this and his response to me was "Genes". I then asked "Why do you think they have THOSE genes?". It seemed that variations in skin color as an adaptation - rather than some random fluke - escaped him. Watching this video, I learned something NEW about skin color. I used to think that fairer skinned people simply LACKED a certain DENSITY of melanin that would otherwise make a person dark. I didn't realize there was another COLOR of skin melanin. Interesting!!

[marisolfuson]

Thank you for making this wonderful documentary! So many more people should watch this and learn from it.