why are black people black?

[MrPercie]

Somewhat biology question

what makes black peoples skin black?

If I was skin a black man and a white man and compared the biological molocues what would black people skin have that makes it black?

like in plants, the green parts is where there is chlorophyll in the chlroloplasts which is made from magnesium and stuff.

[jimbowales]

they are black because they have darkness within them

[tox]

Its a different format in the ___ chromosome, as a result their bodies will produce black skin to protect the inner bits,
if you were to give them a pill to change that chromosome they would turn white after a couple of weeks

[MrPercie]

also could someone explain what "tanning" does to your skin?

you lie in the heat for a long time so what effect that has on the skin cells I dont know, making them look browner or Tan.

[BumFodder]

Isnt it melanin?

[i-am-ghey]

because their ancestors came from a different place and it will take black people a long time to turn white.

[Dogbert581]

Its a pigment called melanin. Melanin stops UV Rays getting into your body but also limits the amount of vitamin D(?) that gets in. Hence black people traditionally come from around the equator and so recieve more solar rays, so they have high levels of melanin to prevent too much UV getting in.

White people on the other hand come from places which recieve less/weaker sunlight so our skin evolved to contain less melanin so we can get enough vitamin D through

[MrPercie]

At 11/25/11 09:47 AM, Dogbert581 wrote: White people on the other hand come from places which recieve less/weaker sunlight so our skin evolved to contain less melanin so we can get enough vitamin D through

intresting. Im sure white people are more likely to suffer from certain conditions if they were to move to the equator and live there a long time as the people their would have adapted better. So I dont if white people are more prone to skin cancers if they decided to live somewhere like the Sudan because of the stronger UV rays.

But is there any medical issues with black people in countries with a weaker UV rays? you mentioned they recieved less vitamin D because of their skin so im guessing there is more chance of having a Vitamin D defiency if your black and live elsewhere but I dont see what the worst could happen.

[Undeadkitty13]

it has to do with the of the location of which the people come from and how it effect their bodies

for people with darker skin, they come from area of which they are more exposed to the sun, these are places where the part of the earth leans closer to the sun. the skin darkens not only to protect it but also to absorb the heat and light of which has vitamins of the body can use. it is actually much healthier for you if you have dark skin to be more outdoors ( of course with sunscreen you can still get skin cancer but its less with dark skin)

for those with lighter skin, they come habitats which are cold and less sun, areas of the earth which lean away from the sun. their bodies changed, since it takes energy to change heat and light into vitamins for the body. the skin had to lighten to help conserve energy of which the body can use for hunting and more importantly to stay warm. because of this people with lighter skin should not be out in the sun for long periods of time because they have a higher risk of getting skin cancer. this is also the reason why slave with darker skin were more favorable than those with lighter skin

hope that clears things up

[Manly-Chicken]

At 11/25/11 09:36 AM, BumFodder wrote: Isnt it melanin?

It's melanin

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanin

[BumFodder]

At 11/25/11 09:51 AM, MrPercie wrote: But is there any medical issues with black people in countries with a weaker UV rays? you mentioned they recieved less vitamin D because of their skin so im guessing there is more chance of having a Vitamin D defiency if your black and live elsewhere but I dont see what the worst could happen.

You dont need a lot everyday, and there are many foods that give you more than you need for the day in one portion.

[BrainworkInProgress]

tis because they dont wash

[MaartenC]

It's in your DNA man.

Also, black people have a lower center of gravity, which makes it (almost) impossible for them to swim, or very hard.

[CorpseGrinderClock]

At 11/25/11 09:47 AM, Dogbert581 wrote: Its a pigment called melanin. Melanin stops UV Rays getting into your body but also limits the amount of vitamin D(?) that gets in. Hence black people traditionally come from around the equator and so recieve more solar rays, so they have high levels of melanin to prevent too much UV getting in.

White people on the other hand come from places which recieve less/weaker sunlight so our skin evolved to contain less melanin so we can get enough vitamin D through

This is a good day, I am quite surprised.

Not only did someone respond sincerely and accurately with the first part, but I learned something I didn't know regarding the second part which I had been wondering.

Well done Newgrounds, for once...

[ZJ]

This sounds like a question you should ask Grub-Xer0 or TehSlapHappy.

[ashett]

Melanin content in your skin changes how fair one's skin is. The more Melanin, the darker the skin is. I beleive this count rises due to adaptation when you tan. Melanin increases the resistance to the sun, and thus, black people don't get as many skin cancers as other races.

[InsertFunnyUserName]

At 11/25/11 09:36 AM, MrPercie wrote: also could someone explain what "tanning" does to your skin?

you lie in the heat for a long time so what effect that has on the skin cells I dont know, making them look browner or Tan.

When your body is healing skin that has been damaged by UV rays, it produces more melanin in those areas to prevent further harm to that area. That's why you don't just get tan from sitting under a regular light bulb. You have to actually receive UV burns first.

[TheBlueRaven]

Black people are made out of chocolate and sinning.

[saltovergray]

It is melanin. However, the reason why the melanin affects them is due to thousands of years living under intense sun and heat, so they adapted to it. Similarly, white people evolved from not needing so much melanin.

[HooglyBoogly]

When somebody refers to a black person, does that representation apply to specifically Africa?

There are indigenous people of Guinea that are as black as Africans. What are they considered?

[chipotleaway]

Its the sun's harmful rays. Also they use it as a cloak to escape rascist rednecks in the south!

[Michaely385]

At 11/25/11 09:32 AM, jimbowales wrote: they are black because they have darkness within them

That might be true for that question to ask. They do really have darkness within their skin. Which might be great for their aura.

I am sure to ask about that...

[Fifty-50]

Back people have back skin due to the different set of genes they have. I speculate that there is one part of their DNA which causes excessive amounts of melanin to be released in there skin, which causes their darker coloration. Having black skin is somewhat an advantage considering they can last longer in the sun without having to suffer overheating or sunburns.

[TechnoHound]

I'm sure a quick google search would harvest more useful answers than consulting newgrounds

[Khocol4te]

They have a lot of melanin in their skin.

[ToastedToastyToast]

A better question would be. Why are gay people gay?

[sweet21]

At 11/25/11 09:47 AM, Dogbert581 wrote: educational things

Im that much smarter now.

[Slint]

It was just a a Mars bar this time, but sooner or later, you will become one.

[yellowpaste]

At 11/25/11 10:41 AM, LaForge wrote:

At 11/25/11 09:41 AM, i-am-ghey wrote: because their ancestors came from a different place and it will take black people a long time to turn white.

Only took Michael Jackson 30 years.

hah.

[FancySauce]

itt: racism