Lab Overview +Chapter Summary

Last class we began our pGlo lab, in which we are trying to make our bacteria grow and glow. The lab won't be finished until next class, though, so I'll post all the details next time. For now, here's the chapter summary for chapter 3 of "Survival of the Sickest."

This chapter provided a lot of information on vitamin D. Sunlight helps our bodies to create vitamin D and gets rid of our body's reserves of folic acid. Different populations have adaptations that help protect folic acid but also allow sufficient vitamin D production. Our skin converts cholesterol to vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet B sunlight (UVB). Skin color is determined by the amount/type of melanin  produced by our body. Melanin, which is made by cells called melanocytes, is a special pigment that absorbs light. Nina Jablonski and George Chaplin charted the connection between skin color and sunlight and produced an equation to show the relationship between a population's skin color and its yearly exposure to UV rays. The chapter also present the final idea that one might be able to reduce their excess cholesterol just by getting enough sunlight to convert it to vitamin D. Interesting huh?