Biological Perspectives on Human Pigmentation

A multidisciplinary overview of how and why human populations vary so markedly in their skin colour.

Ashley H. Robins (Author)

9780521020206, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 26 September 2005

268 pages, 39 b/w illus. 4 tables
22.8 x 15.1 x 1.7 cm, 0.403 kg

"...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

Skin colour 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 colour. 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 colour are also presented. The historical and contemporary background of the phenomenon is explored in relation to the so-called 'colour problem' in society. Finally, the possible evolutionary forces which shape human pigmentation are assessed. This fascinating account will be of interest to graduate students and researchers of biological anthropology, anatomy, physiology and dermatology, as well as medical practitioners.

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.

Subject Areas: Human biology [PSX], Physical anthropology [JHMP]