UV Light

Vitamin D

Dificiency

Bone Development Disease

Cripple the Young

Rickets

Essential for...

Bone Growth

Healthy Immune System

Equator

Nearer

More Vitamin D

Higher Latitudes

Harder to Make Vitamin D

Farther

Less Vitamin D

Vitamin B

Folate

Deficiency of Folate

Brith Defect

Essential for...

Embryonic Development

Sperm Production

Melanin

Protects Folate from UV

Human pigmentation

MC1R Gene in Lighter Skin

More Variation

MC1R

Lighter Skin

Pheolmelanin - Reddish/yellow pigment

Darker Skin

Eumelanin - Brown/black pigment

MC1R Gene in Darker Skin

Less Variation

Sensor/Guardian Molecule

In Humans

Protects Cells
from UV Damage

UV damage in
Skin Cells

Leads to Cancer

Skin Cancer Develops after a person's
peak reproductive years

In Lower Vertebrates

Regulates Body
Temperature

Gives Animal
Camouflage

Allows Others to Recognize
Other Members of Species