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.
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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.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter