The Skin Tans in Response to Sunlight Because of the _____

Question

The skin tans in response to sunlight because of the _____ in the stratum _____.
A) keratin; germinativum
B) melanin; germinativum
C) keratin; corneum
D) melanin; corneum

Accepted Answer

Melanin is a pigment produced by melanocytes in the stratum basale layer of the epidermis. It serves as a natural defense mechanism against the damaging effects of UV radiation from the sun. When skin is exposed to sunlight, the melanocytes in the stratum basale produce more melanin, which is then transferred to the surrounding keratinocytes in the stratum spinosum and stratum granulosum layers. This extra melanin gives the skin a darker color or tan.