What is the primary factor that determines skin color?

Answer 1

Melanocyte-stimulating hormone is a collective name for a group of peptide hormones produced by the skin, pituitary gland and hypothalamus. In response to ultraviolet (UV) radiation its production by the skin and pituitary is enhanced, and this plays a key role in producing colored pigmentation found in the skin, hair and eyes.

Answer 2

Skin color is determined primarily by the amount and type of melanin, the pigment in the skin. Variation in skin color is largely due to genetics. As a general pattern people with ancestors from tropical regions and higher altitudes (hence greater UV light exposure) have darker skin than people with ancestors from subtropical regions. Other less important factors may include sun exposure, disease (such as jaundice or Addison's disease), food intake (e.g. excess beta carotene in your diet), hormones (e.g. darkening of skin during pregnancy called chloasma), or autoimmune conditions such as vitiligo.

Answer 3

It mostly depends on your parents' skin color and the area your family lives in.

Your parents' genes will be passed down to you. The dominant allele with come through more than the other.

Also, the farther you live from the equator, the paler your skin is because of lack of sun's strength.

Answer 4

The relative number of melanocytes and melanin produced per unit of skin.

Answer 5

Melanin is responsible for skin color.

It is the protein that the epidermis secretes; a pigment for the skin.

The more melanin a person has, the darker his/her skin is.

Answer 6

Part of it is the blood near the surface, the rest is a dye called melanin in certain cells within the skin.

Answer 7

Carotene

Melanin

Blood flow

Answer 8

amount of sunlight absorbed