How has the historic levels of melanin in human populations changed due to migration?

Answer 1

Human migration has led to changes in the distribution of melanin in populations over time. Melanin is a pigment that gives color to our skin, hair, and eyes. The levels and types of melanin vary among different populations due to their evolutionary history and exposure to different levels of sunlight. For example, people living closer to the equator have more melanin to protect their skin against damage from high levels of ultraviolet radiation.

As humans have migrated and adapted to new environments, their levels of melanin have changed. For instance, when humans migrated to areas with less sunlight, their skin became lighter in order to absorb more vitamin D through the skin. This is why people who live in Northern Europe, for example, tend to have less melanin than those who live closer to the equator.

On the other hand, when humans migrated to areas with more sunlight, their skin became darker to protect against the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. This is why populations in South Asia and Africa tend to have more melanin to protect themselves against the intense sunlight.

Therefore, the levels of melanin in human populations have changed over time, as humans have migrated and adapted to different environments.