Final answer:
Skin color is influenced by the dermal blood supply, pigment composition, and pigment concentration, with melanin being the primary determinant. Carotene and hemoglobin also contribute to skin color, particularly in skin with lower melanin levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
Skin color is the product of D. All of the above: A. the dermal blood supply, B. Pigment Composition, and C. Pigment Concentration.
The color of skin is influenced by a number of pigments, including melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Melanin is produced by melanocytes in the stratum basale of the epidermis and then transferred into keratinocytes. This brownish pigment is a primary determinant of skin color and can vary based on heredity and exposure to UV light.
Additionally, the pigment carotene contributes a yellowish tint to the skin, particularly when melanin levels are low. Hemoglobin, the red pigment in red blood cells, is responsible for the pinkish tint visible in skin, more so when dermal capillaries dilate to allow greater blood flow.
Understanding these factors for skin color can be important, especially when considering risks like vitamin D deficiency, which can be higher in individuals with darker skin due to melanin's UV light blocking properties.