Key Idea.
Section 1
Materials Selectively Absorb Light
Materials do not interact with all light in the same way. They exhibit selective absorption, meaning a material will absorb some wavelengths while ignoring (transmitting or reflecting) others.
This selectivity is what gives materials their unique properties. For example, a material might be transparent to visible light but opaque to UV light. In biology, specific pigments have evolved to exploit this property to manage energy.
Section 2
Melanin as a UV Shield
Melanin is a biological pigment found in skin that acts as a selective absorber. It is "tuned" to specifically absorb high-energy UV wavelengths.
By capturing this dangerous energy at the skin's surface, melanin prevents the energy from penetrating deeper into the tissue. The more melanin a person has, the more capacity their skin has to safely absorb and neutralize UV energy.
Expand to review the lesson summary and core properties.
Section 1
Materials Selectively Absorb Light
Materials do not interact with all light in the same way. They exhibit selective absorption, meaning a material will absorb some wavelengths while ignoring (transmitting or reflecting) others.
This selectivity is what gives materials their unique properties. For example, a material might be transparent to visible light but opaque to UV light. In biology, specific pigments have evolved to exploit this property to manage energy.
Section 2
Melanin as a UV Shield
Melanin is a biological pigment found in skin that acts as a selective absorber. It is "tuned" to specifically absorb high-energy UV wavelengths.
By capturing this dangerous energy at the skin's surface, melanin prevents the energy from penetrating deeper into the tissue. The more melanin a person has, the more capacity their skin has to safely absorb and neutralize UV energy.