NIC Esthetician Written ExamScientific ConceptsMedium
An esthetician is educating a client about the importance of sun protection. They explain that prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can damage the skin's DNA, leading to mutations that may result in skin cancer. Which specific type of UV radiation is primarily responsible for direct DNA damage and is strongly implicated in causing melanoma?
- AUVB radiation
- BUVC radiation
- CUVA radiation
- DInfrared radiation
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. UVB radiation
UVB radiation is the primary cause of sunburn and direct DNA damage, leading to mutations that are strongly linked to the development of skin cancers, including melanoma.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. UVC radiation is absorbed by the ozone layer and does not typically reach the Earth's surface.
- C. UVA radiation penetrates deeper, causing premature aging and indirect DNA damage, but UVB is more directly carcinogenic.
- D. Infrared radiation causes heat and can contribute to aging, but does not directly damage DNA or cause skin cancer.
UVB Radiation
A type of ultraviolet radiation that causes sunburn, direct DNA damage, and is strongly linked to the development of skin cancers, including melanoma.
- Causes sunburn
- Direct DNA damage
- Strongly linked to melanoma
Memory trick: UVB is for 'Burn' and 'Bad' DNA damage.