1. a. Some ideas that are important in the article are that human skin color is a result of evolutionary adaptation, and that skin color is not a fixed trait but can change over time due to genetic mutations and interbreeding.
b. No specific person is mentioned as important in the article.
c. In the margin, I would write that skin color is determined by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, and that the article explains how skin color changes over time due to adaptation and interbreeding.
2. The main idea of the article is that human skin color has evolved over time and is not a fixed trait. Two ways that having dark skin color is more adaptive than lighter skin color are that it helps protect against skin cancer and it helps prevent folate deficiency.
In paragraph 4, the article explains that darker skin contains more melanin, which helps block harmful UV radiation and reduces the risk of skin cancer. This is why people with lighter skin tones are at a higher risk of developing skin cancer.
In paragraph 5, the article explains that lighter skin allows more UV radiation to penetrate the skin, which can break down folate. Folate is important for DNA synthesis and cell division, so a deficiency can lead to birth defects and other health problems. Darker skin helps prevent folate breakdown, making it more adaptive in regions with high UV radiation.
Overall, the article emphasizes that skin color is not a fixed trait and is the result of evolutionary adaptation. Darker skin provides several advantages, including protection against skin cancer and prevention of folate deficiency.