Final answer:
Individuals with dark-colored skin produce more eumelanin, a black and brown pigment that provides greater protection against UV light but can also lead to an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency.
Step-by-step explanation:
People with dark-colored skin mostly produce eumelanin, which is a form of melanin that exists as black and brown pigments. Melanin is the main substance responsible for determining the color of human skin. Everyone has roughly the same number of melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, but individuals with darker skin have melanocytes that produce more eumelanin. This increased production of eumelanin leads to greater protection against UV light, as melanin absorbs and prevents UV light from penetrating the skin and causing damage. On the other hand, a higher concentration of melanin may also increase the risk of vitamin D deficiency because it hinders UV light absorption, which is necessary for the synthesis of this nutrient.
People with dark-colored skin mostly produce eumelanin, a brownish pigment that gives the skin its color. Eumelanin exists as black and brown, and it is produced by melanocytes in the skin. Dark-skinned individuals produce more eumelanin than those with pale skin. The accumulation of eumelanin in keratinocytes results in the darkening of the skin, or a tan.