In a recent article, biologists from Brown University have reported that our skin cells can detect ultraviolet light. This UV light is detected from a receptor within our eye known as a photosensitive receptor. During this new study , resarchers were able to detect a new rhodopsin receptors which are known to detect UVA light when the melanocyte skin cells fluoresce when calcium level hit a high level after a large exposure of UV light. During these experiments, researchers noticed that when they reduced rhodopsin levels, the calcium levels then decreased and when they increased these levels, the calcium levels increased as well. Our skins DNA tries to protect us from sunlight damage, although after a heavy amount of it, the damage will still occur. Even though scientists learned these possible way to check for how in fact our skin cells react to sunlight, we still need to protect our skin from the sunlight even though we love to tan. Sunscreen is still the safest way to tolerate sunlight.
UV light is quite amazing, not only because like you said it is indicated that our skin cells can recognize UV light, but also being exposed to UV light can lift a persons mood. That is the very reason why it can be used for people who suffer from S.A.D "Seasonal Affective Disorder". But in the summer months it can be quite a battle to get the right amount of sunshine without damaging the skin in the process.
ReplyDeleteIt's really cool that UV light can do to humans, and that our skin can detect UV light to protect against it.
ReplyDeleteNow that we know that skin can detect UV light, it'd be interesting to study if it can do the same for other frequencies on the electromagnetic spectrum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EM_Spectrum_Properties_edit.svg), including the very dangerous ones, like gamma rays. What if our skin could detect exposure to these frequencies before cancer caused by it was detected? It would be a great preventative measure.
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