HTHSCI 1H06 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Melanoma, Stratum Spinosum, Stratum Basale
3 Feb 2020
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What is their function: about 8% of the epidermal cells are melanocytes. Describe the normal process of skin tanning: melanocyte-stimulating hormone(msh) stimulates melanocytes to produce melanin, msh is produced in the pituitary gland, exposure to ultraviolet (uv) light increases enzymatic activity within melanosomes which increases melanin production. Do fair skinned individuals possess less melanocyte that those with darker skin tones: melanin, hemoglobin, and carotene are pigments that help to contribute to skin tone, the number of melanocytes is roughly the same in all people. Diameter -is the size larger than 6mm (size of pea) Individuals with light coloured skin who never tan but always burn at high risk: sun exposure. People who live in areas with many days of sunlight per year and at high altitudes (where uv light is more intense) have a higher risk of developing skin cancer.
