Why do different people have different color skin?

Answer 1

Skin color is determined by the amount of melanin you have. People with more melanin are darker and those with less are whiter.

As humans evolved in Africa it is thought that we were all originally dark skinned because dark skin helps to protect against the sun and skin cancer. As humans spread to other parts of the world the dark skin was not needed as much, so melanin became less important to survival. So in colder countries people developed lighter skins as they did not face the same pressure to protect themselves from the sun.

Spending time in the sun causes your body to make more melanin and makes your skin darker giving you a tan.
People's skin colours are different because of where they live. Generally, people who are black originally came from very hot countries. They're skin developed in reaction to the environment. Please note: if this answer is incorrect, please improve it - I can't be sure I'm still in high school!! Also: I did not intend to cause any offence to anybody in this answer and I'd like to make it clear that I am not racist at all.

Answer 2

People have different color skin because of the melanin in your body. Melanin is a pigment that is responsible for the color of your skin. Basically, more melanin means darker skin. Less melanin means lighter skin. Every living organism has melanin, except for albino living oragnisms. This means that you are completely white, and if you are an animal (not including human) you will most likely have red eyes. This is all beacuse of the melanin they don't have. Being Albino means you have no melanin, so no pigment. That is why you are completely white (all of your hair is white). And the amount of melanin in your body is determined by your parents and their ancestors. Melanin is what causes people to be a different skin color.

Answer 3

Different amounts of the pigment melanin which when struck by sunlight, according to amount, absorbs dark wavelengths and effects skin color.