Increased melanin after UV exposure

Why do freckles darken in summer?

More sunlight triggers more melanin

How do skin tones differ in melanocytes?

Similar numbers but different melanin activity

Should people with darker skin still use sun protection?

Yes, they can still burn and get damage

Melanin Quiz: Skin Color, Freckles and UV Protection

This melanin quiz looks at the pigment behind our colors. Play 10 interactive questions on melanocyte cells that make it, eumelanin and pheomelanin, how tanning boosts melanin after UV exposure, why freckles darken in summer, albinism, how melanin absorbs UV, the shared amount of melanocytes across skin tones and why it still pays to use sunscreen.

Start Melanin Quiz

🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

What
What is melanin?
Cells
Which cells make melanin?
Dark
Which type of melanin is brown to black?
Red
Which type of melanin is red to yellow?
UV
How does melanin protect skin?
Tan
What is a tan?
Freckle
Why do freckles darken in summer?
Albino
What is the condition with little or no melanin?
Same
How do skin tones differ in melanocytes?
Sun
Should people with darker skin still use sun protection?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: What is melanin?
Answer: A pigment
It colors skin, hair and eyes.
Q2: Which cells make melanin?
Answer: Melanocytes
They sit in the skin's lower layer.
Q3: Which type of melanin is brown to black?
Answer: Eumelanin
It dominates dark hair.
Q4: Which type of melanin is red to yellow?
Answer: Pheomelanin
It is common in red hair.
Q5: How does melanin protect skin?
Answer: It absorbs UV radiation
It shields DNA.
Q6: What is a tan?
Answer: Increased melanin after UV exposure
It is a sign of skin damage.
Q7: Why do freckles darken in summer?
Answer: More sunlight triggers more melanin
They fade in winter.
Q8: What is the condition with little or no melanin?
Answer: Albinism
It affects skin, hair and eyes.
Q9: How do skin tones differ in melanocytes?
Answer: Similar numbers but different melanin activity
Production and type vary.
Q10: Should people with darker skin still use sun protection?
Answer: Yes, they can still burn and get damage
Melanin gives partial protection.

The Pigment Behind Our Colors

Melanin is the pigment that colors skin, hair and eyes. It is made by cells called melanocytes in the skin's lower layer. Eumelanin is brown to black, while pheomelanin is red to yellow and common in red hair.

People of different skin tones have similar numbers of melanocytes; the difference lies in how much melanin they make and which type. Melanin absorbs UV radiation and helps shield DNA. After UV exposure, skin makes more melanin, producing a tan, which is a sign of skin damage, and freckles darken in summer for the same reason.

Albinism is a condition with little or no melanin, affecting skin, hair and eyes. Melanin gives only partial protection, so people with darker skin can still burn and benefit from sunscreen, shade and covering up.

What This Quiz Teaches

Body science fans will enjoy these questions.

What melanin is
Which types exist
How it protects skin
What tans and freckles are
Why sunscreen matters

Did You Know?

Gray hair lacks melanin.
Squid ink contains melanin.
Babies' eye color can change.
Moles are clusters of melanocytes.
UV index forecasts help plan sun safety.