Explains the reason for variation in skin color of people of the different nationalities. The film describes how in prehistoric times humans living near the equator could not protect themselves from the direct ultra-violent rays of the sun, and did not survive unless they developed a protective pigment in their skin known as melanin. Similarly those living away from the direct ultra-violet developed a fair skin which permitted the rays to penetrate, for a certain amount of ultra-violet light is essential for life. Narrated by Robert Doubleday.
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How to watch
Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
002238
Language
English
Subject categories
Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → National characteristics
Crafts & Visual Arts → Color - Physiological aspects
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Human ecology
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → National characteristics
Educational & Instructional → Educational films
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Body, Human
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Human physiology
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → National characteristics
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Skin
Mathematics, Science & Technology → Color - Physiological aspects
Mathematics, Science & Technology → Human biology
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Colour
Holdings
16mm film; Access Print (Section 1)
16mm film; Limited Access Print (Section 2)