The Biology of Skin Color — HHMI BioInteractive Video

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Published 2015-07-20

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.

To find classroom resources for this film and other materials, go to www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/biology-skin-color

All Comments (21)

@solomonjohnson2628 2 years ago

"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
@DYC.Antinorm 4 years ago

Nobody: Half the people in the comment section: iM hErE bEcAuSe Of BiO cLaSs
@HeavymetalHylian 5 years ago

I need the reflectometer so I can finally buy the right foundation.
@Rad.iantMoon 5 years ago

Skin color is a product of our evolution, and should never have been judged as something good or bad.
@coddity2372 4 years ago

special edition: like if ur here cos of QUARANTINE bio class
@macnchillidogs1601 5 years ago

lesson of the day: stop being racist, skin color doesn't make you superior, it just adapts you to the environment where u live.
@thomism1016 2 years ago

“We are one under the sun”. This summarising phrase sums up your message concisely and precisely. Thank you ❤️💐
@nickelblock784 5 years ago

this video seems to be very popular among bio teachers, huh? thats why im here after all
@Jack-zi3hq 4 years ago

When you come for biology, but actually really enjoy the subject matter and have a fun time learning.
@giygas7392 4 years ago

Everyone seems to be here for bio, but where's my anthropology gang?
@khaiahmann9192 4 years ago

I was just watching this off of pure interest. 😂. Everyone else is here for class
@rainbowcupcakeunicornsprinkle 3 years ago

17:03 , 13:42 and 11:42 Has the answers for ur bio hw questions. Ur welcome :)
@errantball2012 3 years ago

Bioclass is lucky they're even learning this. Good luck in the future world! Make it a better place
@Arthur-Silva 4 years ago

I’m not here because of bio class. I just smoked a blunt and now I’m ready to go down a rabbit hole 🕳
@vx2k799 4 years ago

CEO of ending racism
@LaVozDeLaTortuga 2 years ago

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!
@michelephifer4858 4 years ago

I must've increased my vitamin D...never noticed til I started taking D3 for arthritis & bulging discs.
@isabelladiaz8168 9 months ago

girl u ate with that "we are one under the sun", i feel inspired
@kasnarfburns210 2 years ago

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!!
@tommyle8562 4 years ago

Where my anatomy gang at tho?