Why does ultraviolet radiation exposure in light-skinned individuals often lead to sunburn, whereas darker-skinned individuals experience significantly less damage under similar conditions?

💡 Explanation

The difference is due to melanogenesis, where melanocytes produce melanin. Melanin acts as a natural sunscreen, absorbing and scattering UV radiation, thereby protecting DNA; therefore, darker-skinned individuals have more melanin, limiting sunburn, rather than other protective mechanisms preventing UV damage.

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