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Interactive Assessment for The Biology of Skin Color

Launch Interactive
Screen shot of the quiz
Topic
  • Genetics
  • Gene Expression & Regulation
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Skin & Musculoskeletal System
  • Evolution
  • Natural Selection
  • Human Evolution
Resource Type
  • Interactive Media
  • Interactive Videos
Level
High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Favorited By
27 Users
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Description

A number of interactive questions are embedded within the short film The Biology of Skin Color, which explores the hypothesis that the variations in skin color in humans arose as adaptations to the intensity of ultraviolet radiation in different parts of the world.

Our human ancestors in Africa likely had dark skin, which is produced by an abundance of the pigment eumelanin in skin cells. In the high ultraviolet (UV) environment of sub-Saharan (or equatorial) Africa, darker skin protects against the damaging effects of UV radiation. In this film, anthropologist Nina Jablonski explains that the variation in skin color that evolved since our human ancestors migrated out of Africa can be explained by the trade-off between protection from UV and the need for some UV absorption for the production of vitamin D.

This version of the film with embedded questions contains automatic pause points, during which students answer questions about the film to assess their understanding of the concepts presented. After answering all the questions, students can view and print their answers.

Student Learning Targets
  • Explain the cellular and molecular mechanisms that determine the color of human skin.

  • Explain how variations in skin color in humans evolved.

Details
Estimated Time
Within one 50-minute class period.
Key Terms

adaptation, anthropology, folate, melanin, melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), pigmentation, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, vitamin D

Primary Literature

Jablonski, Nina G. Living Color: The Biological and Social Meaning of Skin Color. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2012.

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level

This resource complies with accessibility standards in accordance with the final rule for Section 508 of the National Rehabilitation Act.
Version History
Date Published 03.07.16
Date Updated 03.07.16
Curriculum Connections
NGSS (2013)

HS-LS3-1, HS-LS3-3, HS-LS4-1, HS-LS4-3, HS-PS4-4; SEP6

AP Biology (2019)

EVO-1.D, EVO-1.E, EVO-1.J, EVO-1.O, EVO-3.A, SYI-3.A, SYI-3.D, IST-1.K, IST-2.E, IST-4.A, IST-4.B; SP1

IB Biology (2016)

1.2, 2.6, 3.4, 5.1, 10.2

AP Environmental Science (2013)

II.A, III.B

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

8.1

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9-12.4

Vision and Change (2009)

CC1, CC2; DP1

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