Skin color

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Skin color

Skin color (pronounced: /ˈskɪn ˈkʌlər/) refers to the varying shades of pigmentation in the skin, primarily determined by the skin's content of melanin, carotene, and blood flow. The term is often associated with human phenotypic variation in skin tone.

Etymology

The term "skin color" is derived from the Old English words "scinn" (meaning skin) and "colur" (meaning color).

Variations in Skin Color

Skin color can range from very pale to very dark, depending on how much melanin the body makes. The more melanin, the darker the skin. Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes and is the primary determinant of skin color.

Other factors that can affect skin color include exposure to the sun, which can increase melanin production and darken the skin, and certain medical conditions, such as jaundice, which can cause the skin to appear yellowish.

Related Terms

  • Melanin: A pigment that determines the color of the skin, hair, and eyes.
  • Carotene: A pigment found in the skin that contributes to its color.
  • Melanocytes: Cells in the skin that produce melanin.
  • Phenotypic variation: Observable differences in physical characteristics between individuals of the same species.
  • Jaundice: A medical condition that causes the skin and the whites of the eyes to appear yellow.

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