Question

PASSAGE 1: Sensational Sunlight By Dawson Novo Consider how sunlight, or the lack thereof, affects people, plants, and animals. Plants, animals, and humans all benefit from sunlight and its miraculous qualities. Here Comes the Sun There are many benefits to sunlight. In fact, the benefits may even outweigh the dangers of sun exposure. The University of Edinburgh researched exposure to sunlight in the UK. They found that sunlight might help reduce blood pressure. The research, found on the website id.ac.uk, was discussed in Edinburgh University’s publication “Sunshine Could Benefit Health.” The research discovered that sunlight could reduce heart attacks and strokes. This research is based on science and the body. There is a compound that releases in blood vessels when people are exposed to sunlight. This compound lowers blood pressure. Additionally, nitric oxide increases after sun exposure. This lowers the risk of stroke or heart attack. Moderate sun exposure also ensures that people get enough vitamin D. On the health.harvard.edu website, the publication from Harvard Medical School, “Benefits of Moderate Sun Exposure,” discusses the benefits of moderate sun exposure. This research mentions a link between low vitamin D levels and some diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. After two weeks of dreary, cloudy days without a lot of sun, people start to feel gloomy. This can be linked to the deficiency of vitamin D. This lack of sun is often related to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Several studies have found that sunlight changes moods due to the exposure of vitamin D. If people do not spend enough time being exposed to the sun, they may become depressed. SAD often occurs in the winter months when the sun is frequently covered by clouds. The largest cases of SAD are reported in areas that do not have a lot of sunlight during certain times of the year, like the UK, for example. The more sunlight that people receive, the better they feel. Plants use the sun in a process called photosynthesis. In this proce

Answer 1

Exposure to sunlight and specifically to UVB radiation has significant health benefits, including the production of vitamin D, which is vital for bone health and the prevention of various cancers. The amount of sunlight needed varies depending on geographical location and skin pigmentation. Excessive exposure, however, can lead to harmful effects such as a reduction in vitamin B9 levels.

Benefits of UV Light Exposure

While ultraviolet radiation is often associated with negative effects such as sunburns and an increased risk of skin cancer, it also plays a vital role in several beneficial processes.

Notably, the skin produces vitamin D when exposed to UVB radiation from sunlight.

Vitamin D is crucial for maintaining bone health and preventing diseases like osteoporosis.

In addition, several studies have linked sufficient vitamin D levels with a decreased risk of various cancers, including prostate, breast, and colon cancer.

Sunlight exposure for about 10 minutes a day to the arms, face, and legs, without sunscreen, may be enough to provide the accepted dietary level of vitamin D.

However, geographical location and seasonal factors can influence UVB availability, with regions north of about 37° latitude receiving less UVB in the winter because of atmospheric blocking.

Aside from its role in vitamin D synthesis, UV light has applications in technology such as using low-intensity UV to cause certain dyes to fluoresce, providing an anti-counterfeit measure in currency.

Moreover, it is used in the treatment of conditions like infantile jaundice through phototherapy.

The body's ability to produce vitamin D can be affected by the skin's pigmentation, with darker-skinned individuals requiring more sunlight to synthesize the same amount as those with lighter skin.

However, excessive UV exposure can lead to the degradation of vitamin B9, which is essential for health and reproduction.