Biological Perspectives on Human Pigmentation

ISBN-13: 9780521365147 / Angielski / Twarda / 1991 / 268 str.

Ashley H. Robins; C. G. Nicholas Mascie-Taylor; R. A. Foley

Opis

Skin color is perhaps the most decisive and abused physical characteristic of humankind. This book presents a multidisciplinary overview of how and why human populations vary so markedly in their skin color. The biological aspects of the pigment cell and its production of melanin are reviewed. The functions of melanin in the skin, brain, eye and ear are considered, and the common clinical abnormalities of pigmentation, such as albinism, are described and illustrated. Detailed reflectance data from worldwide surveys of skin color are also presented. Next, historical and contemporary backgrounds of the phenomenon are explored in relation to the so-called color problem in society. Finally, the possible evolutionary forces that shape human pigmentation are assessed.

Recenzje

"...a complete and conscientious survey of all that is known about pigmentation in the human species....will be most useful to anyone who wishes to add to that literature, and there is much that could be added, particularly in genetics." Alice M. Brues, American Journal of Human Biology

Spis treści

Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. Biology of the pigment cell; 2. The biochemical and hormonal control of pigmentation; 3. Ultraviolet radiation and the pigmentary system; 4. Functions of melanin; 5. Non-cutaneous melanin: distribution, nature and relationship to skin melanin; 6. The properties and possible functions of non-cutaneous melanin; 7. Measurement of skin colour; 8. Disorders of hyperpigmentation; 9. Disorders of hypopigmentation; 10. Skin colour and society: the social-biological interface; 11. The evolution of skin colour; References; Index.