Cellular Sunblock Makers

Why are some people able to tan better than others? The secret lies in their melanocytes. These cells produce a protein, melanin, that gives your skin color. Some people produce more and have darker skin. Others make less, so they have lighter skin. The purpose of this protein is to block sunlight and protect your body from harmful UV rays. This is why people who live closer to the equator produce more melanin than those near the poles. And thanks to melanocytes, we now know that the physical differences we see in each other are, literally, only skin deep. Buy this piece for yourself or a friend. It makes a great gift for dermatologists, avid sunscreen appliers, evolutionary biologists, and starry-eyed pre-med students.